We will cut A&E waiting times, promise PDs
No patient will have to wait more than six hours for admission to accident and emergency services in Ireland's hospitals, the Progressive Democrats pledged in their election manifesto today.
As the general election campaign got under way, Progressive Democrat leader Michael McDowell launched seven key pledges to voters in his party manifesto.
The Tánaiste told the party's manifesto launch in Dublin his party would make stamp duty a fairer tax for first-time buyers in the property market, and would introduce an SSIA-style scheme for pensioners, with the state contributing €1 for every €2 contributed by the individual.
He also vowed if his party was returned to Government it would lower taxes, help families, provide better healthcare, be tougher on crime, and would protect the environment.
Mr McDowell claimed: "Ireland's current economic prosperity is thanks to the hard work of the Irish people, combined with the leadership provided by experienced, steady government.
"The prosperity that dramatically changed our nation was unleashed by the policies of low taxes, competition and investment in innovation and enterprise that the PDs championed in Government.
"Today, many parties claim to advocate a low-tax agenda, but only the PDs have delivered consistently.
"Why would a future Government without the PDs deliver on tax reform, when past Governments without the PDs never did?"
Mr McDowell added that further prosperity in Ireland and a sustained improvement in living standards and services would depend on the maintenance of a stable economic environment.
"This will be the sound platform upon which we build an even better Ireland," he said.
"This will be the solid platform upon which we will deliver our seven pledges to the Irish people."
The May 24 election will be the first test of Mr McDowell's leadership since he took over from Mary Harney last September.
Five years ago, the Progressive Democrats defied political pundits by doubling their tally of Dáil seats to eight, and remaining as a junior coalition partner in government with Bertie Ahern's Fianna Fáil.
