Fianna Fáil wobbled at the weekend when Taoiseach Bertie Ahern dramatically changed direction and engaged in the auction politics he had earlier condemned. At the same time, the party promoted its republican ethos and environmentally friendly credentials in order to prevent further slippage to Sinn Féin and the Green Party.
It was an unconvincing display of what should have been confident, responsible government in action. With an election less than three months away and party support falling, pragmatism and the pull of power made their own demands.
Mr Ahern battled on three fronts. Without mentioning Fine Gael and the Labour Party and their so-called reckless policies that would bankrupt the state, he trumped their commitments on income tax and home- care assistance, before offering to halve PRSI rates and increase old age pensions. The opening session was devoted to environmental matters and the threat posed by the Green Party. His closing address challenged Sinn Féin's relevance by holding out the prospect of a new Ireland, one nation, under the guidance of Fianna Fáil.
It was an unabashed election address. The Taoiseach urged delegates and his broadcast audience to work harder than ever to return Fianna Fáil to government. Promising an extra 2,000 gardaí, he insisted progress was being made on crime. Pledging cuts in income tax and PRSI rates, he undertook to improve our seriously inadequate health and social services. He insisted his commitments were all costed and affordable. But they depend for funding on a continuing annual growth rate of 4.5 per cent.
Fianna Fáil backbenchers have been plunged into nervous uncertainty by recent opinion polls. Four months ago, Mr Ahern lauded the benefits of fiscal restraint and careful management while his TDs, buoyed up by a resurgence of popular support, were anticipating a stroll back to power. That political dynamic has changed. The Taoiseach is asking to be judged on future plans rather than the Government's record. This should not be allowed to distract attention from serious shortcomings in relation to health and education and the urgent necessity to reform the public service.
Delegates turned up in big numbers at the ardfheis and were in good heart. Party officers believe that soft political support, grounded in such issues as global warming and general dissatisfaction, can be regained through a robust campaign. The election is still months away. In spite of what happened in 1977, offering to put money in people's pockets may still be a winning formula.