Economy, health, agriculture dominate election campaign
The economy, health and agriculture will dominate today as the final full week of the general election campaign gets under way.
Following yesterday’s detailed statement by the Taoiseach on his financial affairs, parties will be hoping real issues concerning voters can be fully debated between now and polling day.
Fine Gael will today be highlighting proposals for families including more tax relief for stay-at-home carers, reform of stamp duty and pre-school measures.
Party leader Enda Kenny, whose popularity was buoyed by weekend opinion polls, will be canvassing in Co Wexford, Carlow and Kilkenny.
The Progressive Democrats leader Michael McDowell will launch the party’s Agriculture and Rural Economy policy document on a farm in Portlaoise.
Fianna Fáil will outline details of the economic impact of the policies of the different parties at a press conference attended by Minister for Finance Brian Cowen, Minister for Social Affairs Seamus Brennan and Minister for Communications Noel Dempsey.
Labour’s deputy leader Liz McManus will launch her party’s plan for ending the crisis in Accident and Emergency departments.
She will be joined by Labour candidate for Louth, Cllr Ged Nash, who will speak about the situation in the A&E in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda.
Party leader Pat Rabbitte will be campaigning in Cos Carlow, Kilkenny and Tipperary.
The Greens are launching their health manifesto and leader Trevor Sargent will be canvassing in north Dublin constituencies.
Sinn Féin will set out proposals to tackle drug abuse and promote community safety.
