FG highlights Govt's 'failures' on crime and public order

Fine Gael is focusing on tackling crime and restoring public order as the general election campaign trundles along today.

Party leader Enda Kenny is touring the Laois/Offaly constituency, where he will meet representatives of the Irish Prison Officers Association at Portlaoise Prison.

Meanwhile, justice spokesperson Jim O'Keefe has outlined the party's policies to fight crime during a press briefing in Dublin.

Fine Gael is promising to put an extra 2,000 gardaí on the streets, introduce tougher prison sentences and tighter bail conditions.

Mr O'Keefe says Fianna Fáil and the PDs have failed miserably when it comes to crime, with the number of violent thefts almost doubling since the two parties took power 10 years ago.