The Fine Gael leader, Enda Kenny, has insisted that his party has the momentum to win the extra seats needed to form a government with Labour in the next General Election.
Launching Fine Gael's pre-season parliamentary seminar in Sligo, Mr Kenny said people did not want 15 years of Fianna Fáil government.
Despite their years in office he claimed they still had not solved outstanding problems like those in our health services.
TDs and Senators are to discuss crime and Irish energy needs this afternoon, when they will also be addressed by Mr Kenny.
They are also to hear from experts on crime and the legal system.
Electoral strategy was also expected to be a key theme.
Fine Gael says that its poll results show it can make good all the losses suffered by the party four years ago. Party strategists claim that the latest surveys point to it securing up to 30% at the polls and maintain that it could see a seat tally in the fifties.
McDowell will not be ghost of banquet: FG
At the last Árd Fheis, its top number cruncher Frank Flannery galvanised members with a similar prediction. He was due to deliver an updated assessment in Co Sligo today and tomorrow.
Party organisers say that former member Michael McDowell will not be the ghost at their banquet despite his threat to target their vote.
They say that they are not too concerned by the Progressive Democrat leader's comments, insisting that they in their turn have PD seats firmly in their sights.
