The Green Party gathered in Tralee, Co Kerry, this morning for a two-day meeting ahead of the resumption of the Dáil.
Ministers, TDs, senators and local councillors met in the Fels Point Hotel for the seminar before the Dáil resumes next week.
Now well into its second year of coalition, the party will focus on how to strengthen its role in Government, including how to pursue a carbon tax and how to win more seats at next year's European and local council elections.
Environment Minister John Gormley says he will be changing the spending rules in referendums to make the funding of third party campaigns more transparent.
Mr Gormley also said he will introduce spending limits for candidates in next year's local elections.
Mr Gormley said there had been anecdotal reports of candidates spending up to €50,000 on their campaigns.
Minister John Gormley was expected to outline how social partnership must now change to include an environmental pillar.
He was also expected to give details of his new planning legislation to elected members of the party.
The meeting will be addressed by any guest speakers.
