Fine Gael and Labour TDs and senators conduct separate meetings today to discuss tactics ahead of the new Dáil session beginning in a fortnight.
The parties are hoping to capitalise on the Government's discomfort over the resignation of Ms Justice Laffoy from the child abuse inquiry.
With a difficult budgetary process already under way, they will attempt to shift the focus of debate to the increasing squeeze in the public finances.
The Fine Gael parliamentary party will meet at the Great Southern Hotel in Killarney, Co Kerry. At the last such meeting a year ago in Co Mayo, members received a report from the strategy group chaired by Mr Frank Flannery which warned that the party faced electoral extinction if it did not undergo wide-ranging reform.
With the party claiming to have to put an end to its "navel-gazing", the leader, Mr Enda Kenny, is expected to set out a strategy for its local and European election campaigns next year. He is also expected to outline a strategy to attack in the Dáil the Government's economic record.
The two-day meeting of the Labour parliamentary party starts today at the Ferrycarrig Hotel, Wexford. The leader, Mr Pat Rabbitte, will assess the current political situation after what his party sees as a very difficult summer for the Government.
TDs and senators will be given an assessment of the public finances and economy in the period leading up to the budget.
With a major recruitment initiative to be finalised, they will also hear details of planning for the elections next year. Crucial to these discussions will be plans for a selection convention on September 27th for the Dublin constituency in the European election.
