THE Progressive Democrats leader has put her party on a firm election footing, promising tough measures against crime, tax concessions, privatisation of State companies and greater control of public spending.
Under the banner, A New Deal, the party's weekend conference in Bunratty, Co Clare attended by more than 800 delegates - demonstrated confidence of an early return to Government but made no mention of its expected partner in coalition, Fianna Fail.
Thunderous applause and a lengthy standing ovation greeted Ms Mary Harney's second address as party leader on Saturday night. In the wide ranging speech, she strongly criticised the Government for its handling of recent controversies, claiming it had "lost its grip", and pledged to make life as uncomfortable as possible for the Coalition for the duration of the 27th Dail.
"Lazy, laid back Opposition is a threat to our democracy," she said.
Yesterday, Ms Harney reiterated that she would not take her party into government with Labour or Democratic Left "unless they radically change their policies and I do not think they will do that".
While she had "an open mind" about forming a coalition with Fine Gael or Fianna Fail, she indicated she could "certainly do business with Bertie Ahern".
Ruling out a pre election pact with any party, she said she would be in a much stronger position after polling day to do a deal and ensure that Progressive Democrats policies were part of the next programme for government.
The conference was addressed by three guest speakers: Mr Eoghan Hynes from the Irish Small and Medium Enterprises Association, Mr Paul Williams, crime correspondent with the Sunday World, and a Northern political scientist, Mr Paul Arthur.
Outlining her "vision" for Ireland, Ms Harney wished everyone to taste the fruits of economic success.
In spite of the "economic miracle", there was a "social nightmare" with a quarter of a million people without a job.
Calling on the IRA to put down its guns and banish its bombs for good, Ms Harney said she was "tired of the not an inch politics of the unionist parties".
It was time the British government told the unionists: "Your membership of the Union carries a price.
In addition to seeking "normal politics" in Northern Ireland, her party wanted a transformation in politics in the Republic.
It was her party, she claimed, that uncovered "the truth" about the shredded extradition warrant in the Anthony Duncan case; discovered the failure of the Attorney General's Office to reply to the victims of the paedophile priest, Brendan Smyth; uncovered the fact that the Minister for Agriculture, Mr Yates, was not present at Dublin Airport for negotiations on the Russian beef ban.
Evidence of lingering animosity towards the former Taoiseach, Mr Albert Reynolds, emerged during Saturday's debates, including an instance when Mr McDowell claimed the PDs would have reduced tax rates to 25 per cent and 40 per cent "were it not for the anxiety of one man to end the most successful tax reforming Government because of his antipathy to a temporary little arrangement".