FIRED up by the largest audience in 10 years and the applause of delegates, John Bruton set out to capitalise on the broader, feel good factor. Fine Gael wasn't simply a party of Government, according to him, it represented the sum of its parts.

In a breathtaking display of political legerdemain, Mr Bruton drew the social and economic policies of Labour and Democratic Left out of the Fine Gael hat at the RDS and found the mix had its roots in the Just Society. Virtue out of necessity. The party was flying on three wings.

Echoes of Eamon de Valera's famous speech invoking comely maidens dancing at crossroads fluttered around the hall, as the Taoiseach produced his vision of an inclusive, peaceful society, based on the family, strong community values, social justice and high employment.

Long term unemployment was the most corrosive of influences. It damaged the family, bred a drugs culture, encouraged crime and inhibited the economy. But providing work for the unemployed was just one aspect of Government policy.

Leadership and partnership went hand in glove. There had to be a sharing of resources and of power with those in need. Communities had to be given responsibility for their own affairs; women had to be empowered; children had to be cherished and all had to pull together.

Fine Gael would not provide tax breaks for the better off, if the cost resulted in diminished services for the poorest. Mr Bruton was strongly in favour of people making money but what was the point in all that extra wealth, he asked, if those who worked so hard had to invest it in security fences and anti crime devices? The only way to guard against this, he argued, was through a more inclusive, sharing society.

The delegates took it in their stride. Mr Bruton could have stood on his head and they would still have applauded. He was their Taoiseach and he had delivered. After a decade in the wilderness he had led them back into the fertile valleys of Government. They were determined to celebrate.

There was no nay saying. No critical analysis of policies or performance. No upbraiding of Ministers and no complaints of an out of touch head office. The hop of the political ball had rescued them and they were grateful for the break.

The only tricky moment came on Friday night when John Cushnahan had the temerity to describe the Urlingford drugs seizure as a "real tragedy", a "debacle" and "a controlled delivery that went horribly wrong".

Nora Owen was not amused. She refused to back away from the official position on that drugs haul. Later, the grand daughter of Michael Collins" received uncritical support for her handling of the Justice portfolio from delegates whose appetite for tougher law and order measures still has to be fed.

The same supportive reaction greeted Michael Noonan's promises to deal fairly with hepatitis C cases and the demands of nurses. More money was being made available for hospitals, he said, and a reduction in deaths from cancer was a priority.

Mr Noonan was the most popular politician at the ardfheis after Mr Bruton, and he relished the applause. Slightly behind him on the clapometer scale came Ivan Yates, a Bruton stalwart and would be party leader. Fine Gael's rural roots were plainly displayed in the weatherbeaten countenances of many delegates. And the Minister for Agriculture was their man.

But Mr Yates had also soldiered on behalf of consumers in the past. He believes the interests of farmers and consumers coincide where the output of our largest industry is concerned. It will be a difficult road to follow.

Issues of jobs, trade, defence, tourism and fisheries washed over the delegates and the various Ministers Richard Bruton, Enda Kenny and Sean Barrett were greeted enthusiastically. The delegates, many of whom remembered the days of coalition under Liam Cosgrave, were happy. But there was no passion. As one women remarked to her friend when the Taoiseach began to talk about record economic growth and job creation: "They all say that".

But change was evident. Large, expensive cars still dotted the parking area at the RDS. And special discount tickets were available from CIE. But the big jump in attendance figures was due to the private fleets of buses which brought delegates from all parts.

Mr Bruton promised change. But he also offered stability and some certainty. On the North, in an emotional speech he held out his hand to Sinn Fein and pleaded with the IRA - not to dishonour the memory of the republican dead by persevering with a policy that simply could not work.

In the recent past, unionists and republicans had failed the challenge of leadership. The breach of the IRA ceasefire had reflected a continuing psychology of confrontation. Violence divided people, Mr Bruton said, when compromise and agreement was required.

The ending of violence would open the way to a political settlement in which neither community would be asked to surrender its birthright.

For a party that was on the rack two years ago, it was a good ardfheis.