TONIGHT Bertie Ahern has his opportunity to say what he thinks of the Rainbow Government. And he will do so in strong terms. During the long run up to the election, the Fianna Fail leader has said several times that his first preference is for a FE majority administration or, failing that, an alliance with the Progressive Democrats. But if the numbers don't work there, even with the addition of a few others, another coalition with Labour would be the third option.
No more. Labour leader Dick Spring made it plain last Saturday that Labour doesn't want Fianna Fail and Bertie will make it plain tonight that Fianna Fail doesn't fit Labour.
Ahern will tell his ardfheis in the RDS and the nation via his live TV address at 8 p.m. - just what he thinks of Labour and its allies. He is expected to call the Rainbow a three card trick in that what you see is not what you get and what you get is not what you want to see. He will accuse Taoiseach John Bruton of being locked in by his minders in case he puts his foot in it; Fine Gael of having no policies of its own, of standing for nothing in office and of being the lap dog of its partners.
Strong stuff, but Labour will get worse - the party and its leader will be accused of arrogance, of seeking power at any price and of dictating its preferences to the electorate.
If that sounds bad, the warm up speakers, Brian Cowen and Mary O'Rourke, are likely to throw in their dislike of Labour too. We haven't a date yet but the battle has well and truly started.