SINN FÉIN President Gerry Adams last night called for the formation of a new "alliance for change" whereby Ireland's smaller political parties would join forces to bring an end to the dominance of Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael.

"The dominance in this State of two large conserv­ative parties can be brought to an end if a new alignment in Irish politics, north and south, can be created," Adams told hundreds of delegates in the RDS Main Hall in Dublin.

"The replacement of the current coalition at some future election by another coalition with Fine Gael as the main party would be like replacing Tweedledum with Tweedledee.

"In my view the Labour Party has a duty not to prop up either Fianna Fáil or Fine Gael. Instead Labour should explore with us and others the potential for co-operation in the future."

Adams invited "all these potential allies to come together in this more united, progressive and democratic movement" that would require the support of Labour and the Greens, trade unions and community organisations.

Adams highlighted the perceived failures of the government in dealing with the current economic crisis.

"Our economy is in a mess. Global circumstances may have contributed, but the decisions and policies of the Fianna Fáil/Green Party government, and its predecessors, have shaped this crisis… the Government should go."

He also called for bankers to be jailed and said, "Criminality of any kind is unacceptable. All categories of gangsters or banksters must face the full rigours of the law.

A Vision for Ireland's Future was the title of the weekend's ardfheis and Adams set out the party's proposals around job creation and the housing market "that would have ensured a softer landing".

He proposed creating a three-year employment strategy, creating jobs by investing in infrastructure, growing our indigenous export market, opening credit lines to small and medium enterprises and the "crucial" prevention of home repossessions. He also stressed the importance of further developing an all-Ireland economy.

On the Lisbon treaty, Adams said, "It is an insult to ask citizens to consider the same treaty again. A new treaty is needed. A new treaty for new times."

On the North, he outlined the progress that has been made but added, "... this is not to say that everything is rosy. No one should be under any illusions. Working with the DUP is very difficult and very challenging.

"But Unionist politicians now know that if they wish to exercise political power they can only do so in partnership with the rest of us."

Adams welcomed changes to the party's leadership as Mary Lou McDonald replaced veteran Pat Doherty as the party's vice-president and Declan Kearney became the new party chairman this weekend.