The Taoiseach Mr Bertie Ahern this evening said he regretted Fine Gael’s refusal to participate in the Forum on Europe but said it would still go ahead.
The political establishment began gearing up for the Autumn term in earnest today with the Cabinet and the Fine Gael front bench both meeting today. A meeting of the Labour’s parliamentary party takes place next Wednesday.
The Budget due in December, the Health service, the Nice Treaty, the National Development Plan, job losses and the timing of the general election are likely dominate the agenda for the remainder of the lifetime of this government.
When the new Dáil term commences in October, the Electoral Reform Bill, that was spectacularly scuppered during the Summer, will rear its controversial head again when the proposed ban on opinion polls in the last seven days of election will finally be debated.
Following the meeting of Fine Gael’s front bench this afternoon, party leader Mr Michael Noonan said despite the Taoiseach’s revised proposals for a Forum on Europe in response to the rejection of the Nice Treaty, he could not recommend participation.
"The problem is that Bertie Ahern still wants a post-Nice talking shop," said Mr Noonan. "If Mr Ahern wants a to get real about the immediate problem of enlargemen, then Fine Gael will work with him on a three-month basis," he continued.
Mr Ahern said he regretted Mr Noonan’s stance but that the Forum will go ahead with or without Fine Gael participation.
He said: "The intention remains to proceed, in the national interest, with the Forum as a focus for a necessary public debate on issues of profound importance. Fine Gael should be part of this initiative. I regret that they have decided to stand aside from this vital debate."
Meanwhile today the Labour Party also launched its first major assault on Government policy today, with Finance spokesman, Mr Derek McDowell condemning the income tax regime.
"We are now paying an economic price for the McCreevy/Harney obsession with reducing the upper rate of tax and such items as capital gains tax, which have been of benefit to the better off only," he said.
Mr McDowell added more money should have been spent over the past four years improving services and infrastructure.
And as the Summer season gives way to a return to hostilities among the parties, another menace lurks. The Moriarty and Flood Tribunals return with potential embarrassment or worse, lurking round every corner - particularly for Fianna Fail and Fine Gael.