Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael policy document leaves questions unanswered for Social Democrats

The Social Democrats had written to Leo Varadkar and Micheál Martin asking both to provide costings for the plans outlined in last week's policy document.

Sources within the Social Democrats say that without very clear policy commitments, particularly in relation to the provision of services, it is unlikely a programme for government would be passed by its members. File picture.

The government's stability programme leaves questions unanswered around how Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil will fund their plans over the coming years, the co-leader of the Social Democrats said.

Róisín Shortall was speaking after Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe published an update to the financial measures taken at the beginning of the Covid-19 outbreak, revealing a projected 10.5% drop in Ireland's GDP for 2020.