The promise came in the leader's address at the Fine Gael ardfheis in which Kenny focused on recent Fine Gael themes of criticising the current government's record on health, crime and the management of the public finances.

"The problem isn't money.

The problem is government complacency, government waste, " Kenny said in a halfhour speech which was broadcast live on television and radio.

The speech contained a strongly worded attack on the handling of the health system, and A&E services in particular, by Bertie Ahern's government.

"It is a national disgrace.

And even after 10 years of this disgrace, Fianna Fail and the PDs are shameless. They brazen it out. And now they want you to give them five more years. Ireland deserves better, " Kenny said, adding, "I believe that any government of this country that cannot look after the health of its people does not deserve to be in power."

The Fine Gael leader said it was time to "get the drunks out of A&E". He said they should be put into "drunk tanks" and fined. He also proposed setting up 15 urgent care centres . . . with three in the capital . . .

which would operate as 'mini A&E units'. These would have the staff and equipment to deal with minor emergencies. A Fine Gael led-government would also provide extra hospital beds, starting with 600 step-down beds in Dublin, within two-and-half-years of coming into office.

The ardfheis speech also attempted to re-assert Fine Gael's traditional law-andorder image, with Kenny sharply criticising justice minister Michael McDowell.

"Our people see the Minister for Justice self-combusting over a perceived slight on his ministerial manhood. But not over the assaults, or the robberies, or the murders and the judicial revolving door that are his legacy to this country, " Kenny said. He proposed tougher bail terms, electronic tagging of offenders and giving the prosecution a greater say in court proceedings.

In the only reference in the speech to his potential coalition partners, Kenny said his party and Labour would provide "an honest, competent government that plans way beyond the next election, all the way to the next generation".