PDs and Labour gather for pre-Dáil policy meetings

The Progressive Democrats and the Labour Party are holding separate meetings today to discuss their strategies for the coming Dáil term.

The PDs are gathering in the Malahide area of Dublin following the recent elevation of Michael McDowell to the leadership of the party.

One of the main items up for discussion is lower taxes, which the PDs are expected to focus on in their manifesto for next year's General Election.

Labour, meanwhile, is holding its pre-Dáil policy meeting in Cork, where a number of new candidates for the coming election will be in attendance.

Reform of the Gardaí is one of the items up for debate, with Denis Bradley, the former vice-chairman of the North's Policing Board, due to give an address to the conference tomorrow.