Opposition hits back over 'missing policies'

The two main opposition parties today hit back at claims that they have no policies by vowing to publish specific pre-election proposals.

Fine Gael and Labour revealed that detailed plans on health, crime and the economy will be unveiled in coming months.

With a General Election expected in mid-2007, Fianna Fáil used its annual think-in at Westport to attack the alternative coalition’s lack of coherent policies.

Minister for Finance Brian Cowen today reiterated that the electorate was entitled to see what it would be voting for.

But the opposition parties today announced a mental-health programme and promised a stream of other policy proposals in coming weeks and months.

In the area of health, the bloc said it will be publishing plans on tackling the A&E crisis, healthcare reform, primary care, organisational change and accountability in the health service.

On crime it will reveal proposals on policing, anti-social behaviour and juvenile justice, the courts and sentencing and prisons and probation.

The party’s economic policy will be published in the new year, after the budget.

“Fine Gael and Labour are the only government option that will offer the people an agreed policy platform in advance of the General Election,” a joint statement said.

“Our two parties are breaking new ground in Irish politics, through an unprecedented level of discussion and agreement on key policy issues in advance of the General Election, which will ensure that we receive a strong mandate for real and meaningful change.”

Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny and Labour’s Pat Rabbitte met today in Co Westmeath on the second anniversary of agreeing its pre-election pact, the Mullingar Accord.

However Mr Cowen today quipped of the Mullingar Accord: “Everybody talks about it but nobody has actually read it.”

Urging the opposition alliance to reveal its policies, he added: “The people are entitled to see what they intend to do.”

Mr Cowen was speaking at the end of Fianna Fáil’s think-in at Westport, where he told reporters his party was fully primed to fight the General Election.

“We have the bottle for the battle. This party is up for it,” he said.

In a bid to form the next Government, Fine Gael and Labour have already published agreed policies in the areas of public spending, social partnership, Dáil reform and supporting emigrant communities.

They said Fianna Fáil could not be trusted and a vote for the party was a vote for uncertainty and instability.

“We are committed to maintaining a prosperous economy, with a low tax regime, which maintains our economic growth, and sees the benefits of that growth fairly shared,” a joint statement added.

“We will not use the public finances for political gain or to bolster political fortunes before elections.”

Mr Kenny and Mr Rabbitte said their government would be decisive and accountable, deliver value for money and remain in touch with the people.

They added: “The task we have set ourselves is unique in the history of the state. Never before have two political parties entered into such detailed policy discussions in advance of a General Election.

“The documents we will publish will give the people a clear insight into the kind of government we are offering the Irish people.

“If elected, they will provide us with a clear mandate for reform, to deliver real and meaningful change, to govern in the interests of the people, and to build both a successful economy and a fair society.”

The leaders said the current Government had grown remote and out of touch. “It is so tired that its competence has deserted it and it must be replaced by one that is dynamic, energetic, and in tune with the spirit and character of the people.”