The Labour Party annual conference, the first since the election and the subsequent change in the party leadership, opened in Wexford this evening.
One of the party's most pivotal conferences in its history starts on a sad note after the death of leader Eamon Gilmore's mother.
Mr Gilmore missed this evening's conference opening after attending her funeral this afternoon.
In opening the conference, deputy leader Joan Burton has forecast that the Taoiseach's appearances at the Mahon Tribunal could lead to the collapse of the Government.
Deputy Burton claimed the Government was more 'arrogant and incompetent' than ever, and may not last its full term despite its comfortable majority.
Ms Burton said a repeat of what she called Mr Ahern's 'confused, contradicatory and unbelievable testimony' at the Tribunal would present serious issues for the Green Party.
Ms Burton said she accepted that Labour had a disappointing General Election, but that attention this weekend would be on the future.
Health spokesperson Jan O'Sullivan also suggested the Government could face an early end, due to what she described as its 'bumbling approach' to the health services.
Meanwhile, Education spokesperson, Ruairi Quinn, has warned of a 'bitter harvest' of racism if the primary education system is not fully integrated.
Mr Quinn said a lack of resources was creating a system of apartheid in primary schools.
The annual conference at Whites Hotel in Wexford is the first since Mr Gilmore's election and the subsequent change in the party leadership.
The three-day conference will address a wide range of policy issues as well as considering the party's future direction.
In a change to previous electoral strategy, Mr Gilmore has ruled out pacts with other parties and has been working to assert Labour's independent identity in the new Dáil.
Over the weekend, delegates to the Wexford conference will debate a wide range of policy issues, as well as considering the party's future role in Northern Ireland, and a call for ‘The Red Flag’ to be adopted as Labour's anthem.
The conference concludes on Sunday.
The entire conference can be viewed on RTÉ Online. Users will be able to watch the confernce tomorrow at 9am-1pm, 2-4pm and Mr Gilmore's speech between 7.15-9pm (click here to watch).
The Week In Politics will also provide comprehensive coverage this Sunday night at 11.05pm on RTÉ One and RTÉ.ie/live.
