The main Opposition parties are holding a series of separate strategy meetings in the next few days to prepare for the return of the Dáil next week.
The opening of the new Dáil term will be dominated by the Finance Bill, to be published in 10 days, which implements the changes announced in last month's Budget by the Minister for Finance, Mr McCreevy. The Government Chief Whip, Ms Mary Hanafin, is expected to publish the Government's legislative programme on Monday, outlining the measures the Government wishes to have passed into law by Easter. A Dáil debate on the prospect of war in Iraq and the use of Shannon Airport by US forces is expected within a fortnight.
Labour's parliamentary party held detailed discussions in Naas over the last two days on their plans for the new Dáil term. Fine Gael TDs, Senators and MEPs meet in Dublin today, the Green Party will outline their "Programme for Opposition" on Tuesday, while Sinn Féin deputies and staff will meet on the same day.
The Opposition are not only discussing tactics to expose Government weaknesses, but also how to gain prominence on the competitive Opposition benches.
The Labour Party leader, Mr Pat Rabbitte, announced a review of party policy on crime, health, housing, education, public transport, disability and other issues after his party's meeting yesterday. Labour will publish policy documents on these issues later.
The party will also prepare and publish "an overall approach to effective economic management, incorporating policies on taxation, prices, job protection, the maintenance of high quality public services, and local government issues", he said. TDs and Senators were given results of voter research on these issues and on reasons for the level of public disengagement from politics. "It showed very clearly that people all over the country feel let down and betrayed by the Government as a result of the broken promises since the election," Mr Rabbitte said.
"A key part of our job in the next year will be to hold this dishonest Government to account, and to get across the message that perpetual single-party government is unhealthy and unacceptable," he said. "But we also have to take on the job of preparing and presenting clear, accessible alternatives".