The Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, has urged voters not to turn back from the economic policies of the last decade.
In his speech to the Fianna Fáil Ard Fheis, Mr Ahern claimed that the Opposition parties would be unable to sustain or expand economic prosperity.
The main theme of the Taoiseach's Ard Fheis address was his claim that a change of Government would threaten prosperity.
He claimed the Opposition had no idea of how to achieve, sustain or expand prosperity. He said it made no sense to turn back now and let the country go backwards.
Mr Ahern said Fianna Fáil wanted to build an Ireland that was both stronger and fairer, by maintaining economic policies that sowed Ireland's success, and by implementing tax policies which honoured hard work and gave advantage to those who most need help.
Mr Ahern said progress had been made in the Health service, and especially in Accident and Emergency.
On Northern Ireland, the Taoiseach said he believed the St Andrews Agreement would fully unlock the potential for permanent peace and he announced that the final few Border roads closed during the Troubles will be reopened.
In an apparent reference to the recent controversy over payments he accepted in the 1990s, Mr Ahern said that if hindsight were foresight, we would all lead perfect lives, but that he was proud of his record and grateful for the chance to serve Ireland.
Attacks on Opposition dominate FF Ard Fheis
The Fianna Fáil Ard Fheis in Dublin has been dominated by attacks on the Opposition, with a number of ministers accusing them of "character assassination" during the controversy over payments to Bertie Ahern.
A Fine Gael spokesman tonight criticised what he said had been the personalised nature of attacks on Enda Kenny by ministers at the Ard Fheis.
Earlier, speakers had ridiculed Mr Kenny, with the Minister for Defence Willie O'Dea telling delegates Mr Kenny was the 'Clark Kent' of Irish politics.
The Minister for Arts, John O'Donoghue accused Mr Kenny and Labour's Pat Rabbitte of trying to "knife" the Taoiseach personally and politically over the payments controversy, while Communications Minister Noel Dempsey said the Opposition attempted a "character assassination" of Mr Ahern.
Fianna Fáil will hold another Ard Fheis next March, just weeks before the General Election and it is expected that major policy announcements will be kept until then.
Cowen warns against economic policy change
The Minister for Finance, Brian Cowen, warned that a change in economic policy would reduce the resources available for health, education, justice and social welfare.
Mr Cowen told the 70th Fianna Fáil Ard Fheis that economic prosperity could not be taken for granted and claimed that Fine Gael and Labour Governments always raised taxes when faced with difficulties.
Next month, Mr Cowen will announce his third Budget, and the last before the election.
He said voters had a choice of Fianna Fáil in Government, or Pat Rabbitte as Minister for Finance, and claimed that while the Labour leader said he would not raise taxes, he was 'eerily silent' about how he would pay for his spending plans.
