Rabbitte to go on offensive at Labour Conference

Labour delegates are gathering in Killarney this evening for the party's National Conference.

This will be the first Labour National Conference hosted by new party leader Pat Rabbitte.

Close on a thousand Labour delegates will attend - a figure up by half on the 650 delegates that attended the party's last Conference in Cork two years ago.

Party leader Rabbitte will focus on the problems in health, education, home ownership and what Labour say is the unacceptable cost of living.

He'll also be expected to attack the Fianna Fail-PD Government over what he claims were deceptive promises made prior to last year's General Election.

With Labour membership now over 5,000, this will be Pat Rabbitte's first real opening salvo to the party faithful, as it hopes to pick up seats in next year's local elections.