Tánaiste and Minister for Justice Michael McDowell has claimed that an alternative Government would be 'weak and divided' and send the wrong message to foreign investors.
Opening the Progressive Democrats' annual conference in Co Wexford this evening, Mr McDowell noted that the General Election will be called in the next 90 days.
He said it would be a crucial election for the future of the island - it is also, of course, crucial for the future of the Progressive Democrats.
Mr McDowell used his opening speech to attack the alternative coalition of Fine Gael, Labour and the Greens, which he said would be weak, and divided on issues like European defence, neutrality, motorway infrastructure and the development of the Corrib gas field.
But he focused particularly on Labour - which in some circumstances could be a rival as coalition partner to Fianna Fáil.
He said Labour leader Pat Rabbitte's pledge last weekend to cut the standard tax rate by 2% was 'auction politics', not 'conviction politics'.
The Tánaiste added that there had been tax cuts when the PDs were in Government - but not when Labour were in Government.
And he said the party would use this weekend's conference to adopt a new agenda for Ireland's economic and social success in the next five years.
