Fine Gael and Labour have deferred plans to launch their joint economic manifesto for the general election until after Easter.
The two parties have reached agreement on the details of a taxation and economic package and had planned to publish it before the Dáil Easter recess.
However, out of concern that the launch would be overshadowed by the Taoiseach's meeting with Ian Paisley and the publication of the report into the Dublin and Monaghan bombings, the launch has been put back.
Meanwhile, the Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny yesterday launched his party's outdoor media campaign in support of his "Contract for a Better Ireland".
He said the campaign would focus on four of the key commitments he had made in his ardfheis speech.
One poster carries the commitment "Free health insurance for all children under 16". Another reads "2,300 more hospital beds".
The other two relate to commitments on tackling crime: "Tougher sentences, tougher bail for criminals" and "2,000 more gardaí on the streets".
"At the weekend I set out my vision for a better Ireland. It is one based on ending the era of the broken promises and restoring the confidence the public have in their government to deliver on their pledges," said Mr Kenny.
"For too long we have seen empty promises reneged on by this Government and we now lie in the wreckage of their cavalier attitude to the public's interest. I am confident that the 'Contract for a Better Ireland' will help restore the public's faith in the political process," he said.
