Pre-election planning will begin in earnest today when Ministers return from their summer holidays to review the Government's legislative programme and their options for the coming general election. It will be a difficult gathering, given the political tensions which exist between Fianna Fáil and the Progressive Democrats. In spite of that, there will be a degree of confidence within both parties that the carefully-orchestrated policy statements of recent weeks may have stopped the political rot.
Last year, the Government was caught flat-footed and suffered political damage when a series of autumn RTÉ consumer programmes entitled "Rip-off Republic" focused on high taxes, professional and business cartels and bad value for money. This year, Ministers have been unusually busy. The Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Micheál Martin, unveiled the first important piece of pro-consumer legislation in 30 years. Martin Cullen sanctioned the flotation of Aer Lingus. Dick Roche promised to do his bit for the environment by increasing the charge on plastic bags. In addition, as the Morris tribunal reported and gangland crime increased, Micheal McDowell published the draft of a new Garda disciplinary code. It seemed as if he didn't take a holiday.
It was a case of controlling the high ground while the Dáil was in recess. If previous experience is anything to go by, it may have done the Government parties some good. Some tricky issues were addressed. Disquiet over the growing number of foreigners living here was tacitly recognised through the leaking of plans to introduce special identity cards for non-EU citizens and to refuse Romanian and Bulgarian citizens an automatic right to work following the accession of those countries into the EU. But a formal announcement was left to another day. Also, those waiting for social and affordable housing were assured that their situations would improve.
All parties are in the process of arranging debates on those issues likely to dominate the general election campaign. Fianna Fáil parliamentarians will hear about the benefits of a successful economy next week. In response to soaring oil and gas prices, speakers will emphasise the need for innovation in areas of conservation and energy production. Opposition parties will focus on Government waste and on its failures in the areas of childcare, crime, healthcare, education and road safety. Most of all, they will warn against Government efforts to "buy" the election through spendthrift fiscal policies.
Opinion poll findings are being awaited with hope and dread. But the Government has a number of important cards to play. A new national partnership agreement is likely to be endorsed. Brian Cowen will have the luxury of framing a last budget in a benign economic climate. A new National Development Plan will be unveiled in 2007. These developments could lift the fortunes of the Government and provide it with a new lease of life. The Fine Gael and Labour Party leaders, Enda Kenny and Pat Rabbitte, are determined to prevent that happening.