Labour pledges two new public holidays if elected to govt

The Labour Party is proposing to introduce two new public holidays if it forms part of the Government after the upcoming election.

The party's enterprise spokesman Ruairi Quinn, who played a key role in introducing the May Bank Holiday, says the country can afford it and workers deserve it.

He says public feedback so far indicates a preference for an extra day off in February, possible around St Valentine's Day.

Mr Quinn also says the policy, which hasn't been agreed with Fine Gael, would benefit the tourism sector.

Meanwhile, Labour is accusing Fianna Fáil of trying to distort the voting record of MEP Proinsias de Rossa on the issue of corporation tax.

Fianna Fáil has claimed Mr de Rossa support moves towards EU tax harmonisation, but Mr Quinn said today that there was no question of his party abandoning Ireland's right to set its own taxes.