FIANNA Fail is preparing for a general election at which it will expose the Government's "mediocre" performance on the economy, law and order and the peace process, the party leader, Mr Bertie Ahern, said yesterday.
As this Dail was entering its fourth year, "we are now at countdown stage to the next general election".
The Government had squandered much of the economic opportunity it had inherited mishandled law and order and failed to show political leadership on the peace process.
The Government had inherited "one of the soundest economies in the EU" from the last government involving Fianna Fail. Yet it had failed to use this to ensure long term economic stability.
He cited the rise in the live register total, the £1 billion increase in the national debt and a rise in inflation as examples of failure of the Government's handling of the economy.
On law and order, the last government had planned an integrated reform package, including a referendum on bail, more resources for Garda operations, extra prison places and a review of the criminal justice system.
But this Government had since displayed "awful" decision making. "The shambles of over a thousand prisoners unlawfully at large, 30 non returners from Christmas parole, an open door policy in Loughan House that allowed over 40 offenders walk out, and the more than doubling of crimes by people on bail, has brought this entire system into, disrepute."
On the peace process, he said he was dismayed by the lack of leadership being shown by the Irish and British governments.
"While the lack bf movement is more the fault of the British government, the Irish government has virtually abdicated the leadership role that was exercised by the government in the period leading up to, and after, the IRA ceasefire."
Fianna Fail was preparing for the next election, whenever it comes, he said. Over the past year the party had revitalised its organisation through bringing in new members, "reinvigorating" party structures and setting up committees to deal with policies, the media and constituencies.
It had also continued to reduce the party's debt, he said. The party would hold candidate selection conventions in 21 constituencies before Easter and would publish 12 policy documents before the end of April.