Parties ready to fire first volleys of next election

THE countdown to the next general election begins in earnest today with Fianna Fáil meeting to discuss strategy and Fine Gael and Labour launching their first shared policy document.

Amid polling that shows Fianna Fáil in danger of losing 15 seats, Taoiseach Bertie Ahern will open the annual parliamentary party conference with an address in the Slieve Russell Hotel in Co Cavan at 1.30pm.

Forty-five minutes later, Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny and deputy leader Richard Bruton will meet their Labour counterparts, Pat Rabbitte and Liz McManus, in Co Westmeath.