Election battle to focus on economy, stamp duty
Finance Minister Brian Cowen accused the opposition of being ready to cave in to European demands for a harmonised tax system as he pledged only Fianna Fáil could create 250,000 over the next five years.
Meanwhile, Fine Gael insisted Mr Cowen had missed his chance to re-balance the stamp duty system as the Rainbow parties prepared to unveil their alternate scheme for homebuyers.
The FF jobs blueprint outlined funding for R&D, support for smaller businesses in export markets and a scheme to upskill hundreds of thousands of workers.
And Mr Cowen said he would face down EU tax harmonisation proposals which meant Ireland would have to increase its 12.5% corporation tax.
Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny dismissed Mr Cowen’s claims and demanded the Taoiseach call the election and “let the people decide”.
