The Progressive Democrats are only interested in being in a competent Government that takes charge and makes decisions, according to the Tánaiste Mary Harney.
Ms Harney, speaking after a Progressive Democrats parliamentary meeting in Dublin this afternoon, said that if this could continue to be the raison d'etre of the Government it will last the full term
"It is not a question of staying in government for the sake of being in office, its about being in government to make things happen to deliver our reform agenda," she added.
However, the Tánaiste said more needed to be done saying: "There are still many areas where we need to see major reform in Ireland, we still need to continue to do more. "We are a reforming party, our zeal for reform is unlimited."
Ms Harney also attacked the Opposition, citing her party's record on taxation, saying: "If the PDs weren't in government over the last seven years we wouldn't have the lowest tax on work and we wouldn't have the lowest tax on companies -there's no doubt about that.
"I don't believe any other combination of parties in government would have achieved as much as far as taxation is concerned," she added.
Earlier today, the Minister for Justice Michael McDowell claimed opposition parties are offering a "slump coalition and a return to high unemployment".
He said the current Government and especially the policies of the Progressive Democrats "has produced record prosperity, record growth and record unemployment".
He added that the Government would be completely different without the Progressive Democrats saying "when Fianna Fáil were in coalition with Labour
between 1992-1994 it was a very different government. Tax reforms stopped immediately taxes went up and it was a government that was driven by ideological considerations."
The Minister said the party would be discussing the groceries order, transport and competition, among other topics.
He said he agreed with the Tánaiste's view that the groceries order is not sustainable and should be reformed, adding: "We've discussed it long enough and the time for action has arisen".
