Enda Kenny and Pat Rabbitte have asked senior party figures to meet over the summer to agree policies for their alternative coalition, the Sunday Tribune has learned. The committees will focus on the economy, health and the justice system.

They have been asked to report by September. Some of the policies will be published before the election, as well as forming the core elements of a joint manifesto to be put before the electorate.

Each party has two members on each committee. They include TDs Richard Bruton, Phil Hogan, Ruairi Quinn and Brendan Howlin, as well as senators Brian Hayes and Derek McDowell. "We are now starting the intensive work to produce compatible policies for a Fine Gael-Labour coalition, " one senior source said yesterday.

The move follows last week's Dail motion criticising the current government, and a visit to Belfast by Rabbitte and Kenny.