Fine Gael has offered the electorate something new and resisted a further bout of auction politics by concentrating on "the vision thing" and on commitments already made. As a tactic, it contrasted favourably with Fianna Fáil's unambiguous vote-buying exercise of last week, while offering a safe pair of hands in government.
The centrepiece of the ardfheis involved party leader Enda Kenny offering a political contract to provide an additional 2,300 acute hospital beds, 2,000 gardaí, lower income taxes and reductions in stamp duty. If he failed to deliver on those promises in government, the Fine Gael leader pledged, he would not offer himself again for the position of taoiseach. Personal accountability was the starting point. And he would apply the same standards to ministers and to public officials who behaved recklessly and wasted public money.
It was a refreshing, well-crafted speech, delivered with passion and commitment before a capacity audience that loved it. It proposed an alternative to Government practices of the past 10 years and offered accountability when things went wrong. Just in case people had forgotten, Mr Kenny listed "a wreckage" of broken Fianna Fáil promises from the last general election and said nobody had accepted responsibility for those failures.
By adopting a cautious and responsible demeanour at this time, the party has deferred - rather than ruled out - further fiscal innovation. A joint economic policy statement by Fine Gael and the Labour Party is likely to chart new territory in that regard. In the meantime, the parties will develop their own responses to particular issues.
Fine Gael has been making steady progress in the opinion polls. Its supporters are eager for government and confident they can make the transition from the Opposition benches with the help of the Labour Party and, possibly, the Green Party. Support for the Labour Party has, however, declined in the past year, even as the Green Party experienced a surge in popularity. Vote transfers will be crucial if the parties are to secure a Dáil majority. And while Pat Rabbitte and Trevor Sargent have committed themselves to removing Fianna Fáil and the Progressive Democrats from office, there will be obvious difficulties in reaching agreement on a three-party programme for government.
Putting young families centre stage in this election campaign has led Fine Gael to offer cuts in stamp duties and income tax, while tackling the cost of living and providing better public transport. Healthcare and crime still figure prominently. In addition, renewable energy projects, electricity connections with Europe, public service reform, a minister for immigration and value for money make up the political patchwork of a better Ireland.
Promising to resign if specific election promises are not kept is an interesting political development. If it resonates with voters, Mr Kenny may have found himself a winning formula.