Labour leader Eamon Gilmore has outlined his vision for the Ireland of the future, which he described as 'a new purpose for a new Ireland'.
This was Mr Gilmore's first address as leader to a Labour Party conference, and it came at a difficult time for him, following the death of his mother during the week.
Mr Gilmore took the opportunity to outline what he called his 'New Purpose', which would define Labour's agenda for the next two or three elections, and would involve building a new economy and providing universal third level education.
He also called for an end to poverty at home and abroad, a halt to climate change and a health service that cures.
The Labour leader said the question was not how far Ireland and the party had come, but how far it can go.
Mr Gilmore also compared the Taoiseach to previous leaders of Fianna Fáil, saying Eamon de Valera would not have taken fistfuls of cash in a suitcase, Sean Lemass would not have tolerated the inefficiency and waste in the health service, and Jack Lynch would never have turned his back on Shannon.
And he warned against the creation of education Apartheid, where in today's Ireland a baptismal certificate could become a latter day pass book.
Mr Gilmore said segregation had no place in modern Ireland, and that if we wanted a cohesive republic, it must be tolerant and pluralist.
Labour avoids vote on cannabis
A contentious vote on decriminalising cannabis was avoided at the Labour Party conference when delegates voted to refer the subject back to the National Executive for further consideration.
A motion from the Naas branch called for the decriminalisation, regulation and taxation of the supply of cannabis, with delegate Chris O'Neill saying the motion was about taking money off the drug barons.
Emmet Stagg, Kildare North TD, supported the motion calling for a system of control and use that would take young people out of the maw of criminals.
However, most speakers opposed the motion.
John O'Brien of Wicklow said it was impossible to decriminalise what he described as a 'vicious drug'.
While Fintan Gibney of Dublin Central said if the conference passed the motion, Fianna Fáil would be rubbing their hands with glee saying Labour was in favour of drugs.
Justice Spokesperson Pat Rabbitte said it was wrong to think Ireland could act in isolation because if cannabis were decriminalised Ireland would become a 'mecca' for users.
He urged delegates to refer the motion back to the National Executive for further consideration, as it was clearly going to be defeated. The suggestion was accepted by 165 votes to 141.
Delegates have also been debating a motion proposing a commission that would look at the possibility of the party organising in Northern Ireland.
The measure was backed by former leader Ruairi Quinn who also said that any decision to contest elections in the North would have to be considered carefully.
Pension policies
Earlier, the conference was told that the top 4,500 earners in Ireland share almost €100m in tax relief on their pension contributions.
Roisin Shortall, Social and Family Affairs Party Spokesperson, said figures released to her in a Parliamentary Question showed that 4,500 top earners got €97m in relief on their pensions in 2004, the last year for which figures were available.
She said the amount now was likely to be well over €100m and that current pensions policy was favouring those who needed it least.
The entire conference can be viewed on RTÉ Online. Users will be able to watch the conference between 9am-1pm, 2-4pm and Mr Gilmore's speech between 7.15-9pm.
The Week In Politics will also provide comprehensive coverage this Sunday night at 11.05pm on RTÉ One and RTÉ.ie/live.
