Fianna Fáil leader Michéal Martin has said he is the only alternative Taoiseach on offer to the electorate in the next election and challenged Enda Kenny to a "no holds barred" debate during the campaign.
Speaking at the Fianna Fáil pre-Dáil term think in, Mr Martin said his party had learned the lessons of previous elections when it came to making campaign promises.
In 2007, Fianna Fáil initially intended to campaign on a prudent management of the economy but then leader Bertie Ahern made a number of late spending promises.
“I would like to think we have learned lessons as a party from earlier elections - 2007 and earlier elections - that surely the lessons coming out of the economic crash is that political parties need to be straight with people and not making promises that they have no intention of fulfilling and also that we would cost our proposals,” Mr Martin said.
He criticised the Government’s approach during the 2011 election, saying the electorate has been “taken aback” by the “promises that were made and subsequently reneged upon”.
Mr Martin criticised the Government for promising to be prudent but preparing a giveaway budget.
He said the next election will "absolutely" be a choice between Mr Kenny and him as Taoiseach, but repeated he would not serve in Government with either Sinn Féin or Fine Gael.
“It’s up to the Taoiseach to come up front and debate publicly with me in relation to these issues and we could have a fulsome, energetic and active campaign where political leaders don’t just go for the soundbites or the organised PR opportunities but that we have no holds barred debates with the Taoiseach and with others. I’m up for that, I hope the Taoiseach is,” he said.
“Their entire election strategy will be to say that there is no alternative - that we have to accept more of the same,” Mr Martin said of the Government.
“We believe that there is another way - people don’t have to accept the steady drift to a more unequal, more divided country. There is the need and the opportunity to build and Ireland which serves all its people - and this our agenda.”
TDs and senators at the party meeting received a briefing from Professor John McHale of the Fiscal Advisory Council, Audrey Deane and Liz Kerrin of St Vincent de Paul and Kevin Sherry of Enterprise Ireland. TDs and senators will discuss electoral strategy this morning.
Mr Martin said Fianna Fáil has 10 selection conventions remaining and will be election ready by early next month, with the final convention being held on October 4.
Dún Laoghaire is one of the outstanding conventions, with councillors Mary Hanafin, Kate Feeney and Cormac Devlin expected to compete for a place on the ticket.
It is understood Mr Devlin would consider legal action against the party if it directs only one female candidate should be selected. However, Mr Martin would not be drawn on the issue.
“There will always be tensions at selection conventions and in relation to the selecting of candidates. In many ways that tension is a good sign, standing back looking at it objectively. A lot of people are very anxious to stand for the party. It is very different to 2011.”
