Opposition leaders step up election campaigns

Two opposition party leaders are crisis-crossing several constituencies this week as they ramp up their general election campaigns.

Labour leader Pat Rabbitte and Trevor Sargent of the Greens are taking advantage of the Dáil recess to meet voters and familiarise themselves with local issues.

Mr Rabbitte will cover 38 events today and tomorrow with eight party candidates in Carlow, Kilkenny, Tipperary, Cork and Kerry.

He will meet local constituency workers, visit schools and lead walkabouts to meet the public.

Mr Rabbitte will also hear the concerns of local groups like fishermen in Co Kerry and anti-incinerator campaigners in Cobh.

Mr Sargent is touring Cork constituencies with local candidates as the party bids to increase its six Dáil seats.

Among the scheduled visits will be one to an illegal dump site in Glanmire and Ireland’s only pure plant oil filling station in north Co Cork.

Mr Sargent will also meet anti-incineration group CHASE in Cobh and sugar factory workers in Mallow.

As well as meeting residents and community associations, he will attend a public questions and answers session in Kinsale on the theme of food and tourism in west Cork.