Opposition parties unveil political-reform plans

Opposition parties today revealed their plans to reinvent Government from the top while left-wing supporters staged a major conference in Dublin.

Fine Gael claimed that if elected in the General Election later this month it will pool ministerial cars and publish the work plans of 1,300 senior public servants online for public scrutiny.

All state board directors will also have to resign within six months of the party getting into power, with new appointments vetted.

Richard Bruton, party spokesman for enterprise, jobs and economic planning, said the process of change and renewal must start at the top with ministers and senior civil and public servants taking the lead.

“We believe public servants have a crucial role to play in helping to get Ireland working again, but too often they are trapped in systems and structures that restrict rather than encourage innovation and change,” said Mr Bruton.

“We will unleash that potential, while protecting vital frontline services like nurses, teachers and gardaí.”

Elsewhere, Green Party finance spokesman Dan Boyle called for the capping of pensions for state service.

The Cork South Central candidate said that public anger has justifiably been fuelled by the size of severance packages being given to retiring ministers and high-ranking civil servants.

“The Green Party believes that such pensions should be capped at a rate of no more than twice the average industrial wage – or €75,000 per year,” he said.

“Such a pension would remain a generous payment and still be an appropriate recognition for service undertaken on behalf of the state.”

The party will launch its plans to reform political party funding tomorrow.

Meanwhile, Labour, Sinn Féin and left-wing candidates attended a conference on new political possibilities in Ireland.

Sinn Féin TD Aengus O Snodaigh told delegates there was widespread desire for a realignment of Irish politics.

“It is time for all those who believe that a government without Fianna Fáil or Fine Gael can deliver a better Ireland to work together,” he said.

“Voters want a real alternative. They are looking for change, for a break with the failed politics of the past and for hope that this is possible.”

Labour councillor Cian O’Callaghan maintained voters must demand a radical redistribution of power and extension of democracy.

“We are living in a period of unprecedented attack on our public services and of redistribution of resources from those with the least to the super-rich,” said Cllr O’Callaghan.

“The left must not carry out the dirty work of the IMF by implementing a programme of austerity and cuts that will wreck our public services – instead the left must encourage and support all those who are resisting these attacks.”

Richard Boyd Barrett, of People Before Profit and the United Left Alliance, outlined several elements he believes will save the country from economic and social destruction.

They included ending the bail-out of private banks and bondholders, hiking up taxes on the super-wealthy and closing tax loopholes, and capping public sector salaries at 100,000 euro.

The Worker’s Party president, Michael Finnegan, added: “We must work to unite progressive people within the trade union movement and the principled left to promote a campaign for jobs.”