Parties clash over economic proposals

Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael today clashed on economic proposals as the focus of the general election campaign finally switched from the Taoiseach’s financial affairs.

Bertie Ahern’s comprehensive statement on the money trail around his house seems to have shelved the issue until he appears before the Mahon Tribunal after polling day.

As the campaign’s penultimate week began, Minister for Finance Brian Cowen accused the alternative coalition’s fiscal proposals as a ’con-job’ but Fine Gael hit back at Fianna Fáil for peddling the ’politics of fear’.

Mr Cowen said Fine Gael had made promises worth nearly €2bn and Labour had pledged €1.7bn which had to come from an Exchequer fund of less than €900m.

He said their policies would lead to budget deficits, debt and an erosion in national competitiveness.

He added: “Mr Kenny and Mr Rabbitte are engaging in a con job. They are busting up their own economic framework before the election.

“The people are entitled to an intelligent debate on the economy. They don’t want ’two plus two equals four’ and then add all the zeros afterwards.”

The Minister for Finance also attributed the rise in the Opposition’s poll ratings to a lack of scrutiny of their policies.

Earlier Fine Gael accused Mr Cowen’s party of having nothing to offer except ’the politics of fear’.

Fine Gael frontbencher Olwyn Enright said Fianna Fáil had been engaging in negative campaigning because it did not want to focus on its own broken promises.

Deputy party leader Richard Bruton added: “Mr Cowen’s latest, desperate attack is simply laughable. His claims don’t even stand.”

Meanwhile, the Labour Party warned it will halt all co-location projects unless contracts are signed before the election.

Health spokeswoman Liz McManus said: “The Harney/Ahern plan on co-location would be a disaster for our health system. Labour is determined to stop it.”

The Progressive Democrats pledged to establish a nationwide Anti-Social Isolation Scheme, ’ONE-2-ONE’ to assist those people in communities who are lonely and isolated.

Outlining proposals on a Portlaoise farm in relation to rural life and the agri-economy, the party also promised to review how farmers pay tax so as to maximise fairness.

It will also re-focus the Teagasc state agency towards sustainable energy promotion, education, research and development.

Launching their health manifesto, the Greens warned about the dangers of overprescribing antibiotics which may be contributing to the spread of MRSA.

Health spokesman John Gormley said: “There are inconsistencies between different GPs.”

The party promised to provide 2,000 extra acute beds in its first five-year term in Government.

Unveiling proposals on drugs, Sinn Féin said it would appoint a Minister of State with responsibility for the issue.

Justice spokesman Aengus O Snodaigh also called for systematic social investment and drug treatment services.

He said: “The drugs culture is literally destroying families and entire communities. This is no longer a problem confined to Dublin or the major urban centres. Illegal hard drugs are now available in most villages and small towns with the attendant problems of crime and anti-social behaviour.”