Fianna Fáil and the Progressive Democrats have continued "the record of failure that has marked governments in the Republic for generations", Sinn Féin candidate Mr Martin Ferris has said.
Speaking at the party's last major gathering before the general election, Mr Ferris, a Kerry North candidate, said no previous administration had enjoyed the kind of resources available over the last five years.
"This government rewarded those who least needed it and left those in greatest need waiting in line struggling with huge mortgages, poor healthcare and the lack of childcare."
"Budget surpluses should be spent on the needy and on public services, rather than on the wealthy," added Mr Ferris, who is now facing a tough challenge from Fianna Fáil to take the third seat in Kerry North.
"Rather than doing this, they have cut taxes for the high earners. This is creating a mé féin society where the needy must wait for crumbs from the table. We reject that approach. We want to build a society of equals."
The party's leadership received a standing ovation from the 200-strong group of delegates in the Gresham Hotel when they arrived for the rally.
The party's candidate in Sligo-Leitrim, Cllr Seán McManus, said the coming election campaign would mark "an historic juncture" in the development of the party in the Republic. "As far as I am concerned, we are at a turning point in the party's history. We face into elections which are of the utmost importance for this party, and for which we are totally prepared," he said.
Sinn Féin is running 10 candidates in Dublin, six in Leinster, seven in Connacht-Ulster and seven in Munster.
