Independent analysts examine party proposals
The three main political parties, Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and the Labour Party, are to submit their budgetary proposals to a panel of independent economists to see if they stand up to analysis.
The three parties have been engaged in a war of words for the past six days over the viability of their proposals.
Fianna Fáil’s Charlie McCreevy claimed today that an objective assessment will show that only his policies will keep Ireland from returning to permanent budget deficits, while Labour leader Ruairi Quinn said it will show that his manifesto is the only honest one.
Fine Gael’s Alan Dukes claimed the move was a Fianna Fáil attempt to divert attention from social
issues like health and education, but added that his party welcomes the economic evaluation.
