Labour Party conference continues

Labour leader Eamon Gilmore will today use the party’s 64th national conference to rally supporters ahead of the local and European Parliament elections in June.

More than 1,000 delegates are gathering in Mullingar for the three-day event which will focus on the economy and the banking crisis under the theme: A New Deal for Ireland.

Eamon Gilmore’s televised keynote address this evening is expected to contain elements of its long-term economic strategy.

Proposals for the forthcoming emergency Budget are expected to be unveiled next week.

In his opening address last night, Mr Gilmore proposed major reductions in the size of political donations and ordered radical reform of the work of the Government, the Oireachtas and the public service.

He said success in the local and European elections can be a springboard for a future Labour government.

Co Sligo-based journalist Susan O’Keeffe, who was threatened with jail when she refused to reveal her sources at the Beef Tribunal, was yesterday unveiled as Labour’s North West constituency candidate.

In deference to tonight’s worldwide Earth Hour event, conference delegates will be asked to conserve electricity during today’s sessions.

The event is being held in Mullingar because it is a major support base for the party.

Delegates will also be discussing Labour’s 21st Century Commission report which contains proposals for the modernisation of the party’s structure.