Finances head election campaigning

The public finances and cutting emigration will be highlighted by political parties during today’s General Election campaign.

In the wake of the first live leadership debate, Fianna Fáil’s Micheál Martin will launch the party’s tourism strategy in Ballina, Co Mayo.

Labour’s Eamon Gilmore will canvass with candidates in Meath East and Meath West after the party launches its plan for literacy.

Fine Gael will outline how it will create 45,000 work experience, training and internship opportunities to stem emigration in its document, Keeping Young Talent at Home.

Fergus O’Dowd, spokesman for education and skills, and Leo Varadkar, spokesman for communications and energy, will reveal proposals at the election HQ on Leeson Street, Dublin.

Meanwhile, Green Party leader John Gormley, finance spokesman Dan Boyle and former energy minister Eamon Ryan will hold a breakfast briefing on managing the public finances in the Westin Hotel.

Sinn Féin’s Aengus O Snodaigh will launch proposals for community safety and combating crime outside the Department of Justice on Stephen’s Green.