Pat Rabbitte's Labour Party is tied to Fine Gael until polling day. What was interesting, however, about this weekend's Labour conference was the effort that went into stressing the party's own individual identity.

Significantly, Fine Gael was not briefed about Labour's new - and imaginative - housing plan.

Over the last week the two partners have been separately outlining their own policies for housing, health, education and the environment.

It would seem that Labour is deliberately trying to create some space from Fine Gael in the event of other options having to be pursued after polling day. Having been so hostile to Fianna Fáil in the recent past, Rabbitte has to be careful. But stepping out with Fine Gael while keeping a watchful eye on another partner does give Labour two options of government.

Overall, Rabbitte can be pleased with his weekend. With broad agreement on macroeconomic policy, the differences between the main political parties are now few enough. But this weekend Labour managed to create enough differences to merit genuine praise. Definable Labour policy has been placed on the national agenda. The housing policy targeted at firsttime buyers is easily understood, costed and will appeal to voters. The party's environment spokesman Eamon Gilmore - the author of the housing plan - also talked tough about reducing damaging carbon emissions. His honesty was refreshing.

There is no doubt that Ireland is a better place to live in than in 1997 when Bertie Ahern first became Taoiseach. But given the scale of the economic boom should life be a whole lot better? In his leader's speech last evening, Rabbitte asked: "Are you happy?" We'll know the answer in about 100 days.