Fianna Fáil holding annual policy think-in in Co Cavan today
Fianna Fáil's TDs and Senators are meeting in Ballyconnell, Co Cavan, this morning for a two-day policy discussion ahead of the new Dáil term.
Issues like the cost of childcare, the perceived rip-off of consumers, traffic congestion and a dwindling sense of community spirit are expected to top the agenda.
Childcare has already been identified as a main issue ahead of the next election and some measures in this area are expected to emerge from the Ballyconnell think-in.
Last year, the annual Fianna Fáil parliamentary party meeting focused on the plight of the marginalised and measures were subsequently introduced in the budget.
Two years ago, the issue of one-off rural housing dominated the agenda and, within months, the law was relaxed.
Meanwhile, the leaders of Fine Gael and the Labour Party are also due to meet in Mullingar today to discuss their plans for a pre-election alliance.
The talks are being interpreted as an attempt to upstage Fianna Fáil and could signal the beginning of up to 18 months of election campaigning and carefully managed events.
