Labour leader Mr Pat Rabbitte urged voters to use the ballot to vote against the Coalition parties and "reflect the anger felt about their broken promises".
He kicked off a referee-style "red card" method for canvassers to spell out their grievances about the performance of Taoiseach, Mr Ahern's coalition, and unveiled a giant mesh banner on Liberty Hall.
But Mr Rabbitte's move sparked a strong attack on him by government chief whip Ms Mary Hanafin.
She accused the Labour leader of "running the most negative campaign in Labour's long history," adding: "It would be more fitting for Labour to be waving a red flag instead of a red card."