Fianna Fáil activists rallied to support the party at the weekend and, as more than 800 local authority and European Parliament candidates for the June elections strutted their stuff at the ardfheis, the occasion became a confident celebration, rather than a worrisome preparation. It was only when key officials faced hard questions about possible seat losses that uncertainty showed through.
For, on the basis of the party's consistent showing in the opinion polls and constituency changes, the election results are likely to disappoint. Such an eventuality was happily ignored by delegates, however, as they applauded the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, and basked in the comfort of being seven years in government.
The proceedings were even more carefully orchestrated than usual. No policy-making motions were discussed. No dissent was tolerated. And no votes were taken. Instead, Ministers were politely requested to outline the Government's position on a variety of issues and delegates listened, asked questions and applauded. For all of that, the atmosphere at the ardfheis was confident. For the first time, local elections would be held without the direct involvement of Oireachtas members. And candidates were hopeful that this new division of responsibility would insulate them against the residual anger of voters over broken promises in the general election. The Government had provided them with a number of popular issues on which to campaign. There was the plan to send more than 10,000 civil and public servants to 53 different locations outside Dublin. There was the announcement that hundreds of schools would be refurbished this summer. And there was the relaxation of planning regulations for once-off housing in rural areas.
The focus on council and European elections was not absolute. In his televised address, the Taoiseach emphasised the Government's effective handling of the economy. They were investing in education, health, pensions and infrastructure, he said, and were working to create a knowledge-based economy. By the time the general election came around, in 2007, they would have substantially completed motorways to Belfast, Galway and Cork. On Northern Ireland, Mr Ahern insisted there could be no half-way house between democracy and violence. There had to be an absolute commitment by republicans to end all paramilitary activity. At the same time, unionists had to sign up to partnership and help to put an end to loyalist violence.
Evidence from Mr Tom Gilmartin at the Mahon tribunal about corruption in the planning process was expected to cast a shadow over the proceedings, but it was shrugged off. And, following a commitment in the Taoiseach's opening address on Friday to 24-hour medical cover, reform of hospital services under the Hanly report was entirely omitted from Mr Ahern's keynote speech. The issue was just too dangerous. The ardfheis was all about revitalising the party machine and appealing to rural voters.