Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny has warned the Government against selling Irish banks to what he called 'vultures circling around to see if they can make a quick buck out of Ireland's difficulties'.
Opening his party's national conference in Wexford, Mr Kenny said the talks between the Government and the banks lacked transparency.
Mr Kenny warned that the talks should be dictated by the long-term interests of the country, not the 'narrow self-interest of bad banks, private venture capitalists and delinquent developers'.
He said public money should only be invested into the banks if certain conditions were met.
Mr Kenny said the taxpayer should get a dividend, and a return if the institution is sold, credit should be guaranteed for solid small and medium size businesses and advice received by the Government should be published.
Nightmare scenario
Deputy Kenny said the nightmare scenario was that, as with eircom, the Government hands one or more of our major banks over to a US private venture capitalist only interested in making a 'quick buck'.
He said it would be much better for the State to provide and attract long-term capital, which would ensure the survival of a competitive banking system dominated by at least three strong Irish-owned institutions.
Mr Kenny also called on the banks to allow a six-month moratorium on foreclosures for homeowners, to allow people to consider all options for recovery in view of the pending recapitalisation programme.
Other issues on the agenda will be the health service, crime, and job creation.
The Budget debacle and the subsequent poll boost for the party has buoyed Fine Gael and raised its members hopes of holding office.
Organisers expect over 1,200 activists to attend this conference.
They will hear front bench members lay out the party's policies in a range of areas.
Richard Bruton will speak tomorrow morning on the theme of economic recovery through reform.
Education spokesman Brian Hayes will outline party policy on funding higher level education.
But most attention will focus on tomorrow night's televised address by Mr Kenny.
The challenge for the Fine Gael leader will be striking a responsible note, while still exploiting the grave problems being faced by the Government.
Third-level pay back
Fine Gael's Education Spokesman, Brian Hayes, has called for third-level students to pay back part of the cost of their education in the years after they graduate from college.
Speaking at the Fine Gael national conference Mr Hayes said it was reasonable that graduates should pay some part of their income for several years after they enter the labour force.
He said the money could be collected at source through the PRSI system and ring-fenced to meet the cost of higher education.
Mr Hayes said Fine Gael was against the re-introduction of college fees, which has been floated by the Minister for Education, Batt O'Keeffe.
He also ruled out a student loan system, as seen in other countries, as he said it would saddle graduates with too much debt.
He also said that the increase in third level registration fees from €900 to €1,500 had effectively reintroduced fees through the back door.
On the reduction in substitute teacher cover for schools announced in the Budget, Mr Hayes said it would cause havoc from the first of January.
