Election 2024: Six things we learned on the campaign trail today
Eoin Ó Broin, David Cullinane, Mary Lou McDonald, Pearse Doherty, and Claire Kerrane on stage for the launch of Sinn Féin's election manifesto at Smock Alley Theatre in Dublin on Tuesday. Picture: Niall Carson/PA
Sinn Féin has suggested that RTÉ's coverage of the Israeli war on Gaza be "peer-reviewed".
Speaking at the party's manifesto launch in Dublin on Tuesday, Mary Lou McDonald said that the party wanted an "independent human rights and journalistic expert review into the objectivity of coverage by RTÉ of the Israeli genocide in Gaza and other international conflicts” if elected.
Asked if it was appropriate for any political party to promise to intervene in the work of RTÉ, Ms McDonald said that this was merely a case of seeking to ensure "trust" in the broadcaster.
"We talk a lot about where people access their information and trusted sources of information. And this is a challenge in a world where news and comment is now 24/7 and it's coming at people from all directions,” she said.
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An RTÉ spokesperson said: "Impartiality and objectivity are among the cornerstone principles of RTÉ and the organisation's own journalism guidelines. Section 46L (1) of the Online Safety & Regulation Act 2022 imposes a specific obligation to report in 'an objective and impartial manner and without any expression of the broadcaster's own views.' The Oireachtas established [Coimisiún na Meán] as an independent statutory body with power to hold broadcasters accountable for compliance with the legislation and the broadcasting codes."
Unlike most parties, the Social Democrats aren't offering tax cuts.
The party's deputy leader Cian O'Callaghan, launching his party's manifesto on Tuesday, said that it was not "credible" for Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and Sinn Féin to promise better public services and lower taxes.
Mr O’Callaghan set out several policy areas that he described as the party’s “red lines” for entering a coalition government.
They are the delivery of 50,000 affordable homes in the lifespan of the next government; full implementation of the Slaintecare healthcare reforms; bolstering investment in disability services, led by a senior minister for disability; a public childcare system; and a revised Climate Action Plan.
Fianna Fáil on Tuesday launched its education policy, aiming to get class student-teacher ratios down to 19:1.
However, Education Minister Norma Foley said that third-level fees wouldn't be fully abolished under her party.
"We’re keeping a very pragmatic approach and keeping the fees at €2,000 and substantially increasing the investment so students can access the accommodation they deserve and follow courses they want to follow and that there is an appropriate level of services being provided in Further and Higher Education," she said, speaking in Dublin.
The Fianna Fáil plan also includes the provision of an extra 100,000 School Transport Scheme places.
Taoiseach Simon Harris said on Tuesday that he believes that the situation in Gaza in a genocide.
In a video posted to social media by Virgin Media correspondent Richard Chambers, Mr Harris said that was his opinion, but that it would be for a court to decide.
"It's important courts make that determination, but I have no difficulty using that word," Mr Harris said.
Asked what he would change in the Government's approach to Gaza, Mr Harris said that he would pass the Occupied Territories Bill and bring a formal vote to the European Council on reviewing the trade agreement between the EU and Israel.
He said that while this vote was unlikely to get a majority, it was important to make states answer to their citizens.
The Green Party has challenged Simon Harris and Micheál Martin to "explain in very clear terms why they are scared to even discuss the prospect of a four-day week".
A proposal to convene a Citizens’ Assembly that would examine the impact of switching to a four-day week is a central part of the Green Party’s General Election manifesto but has been ruled out by Mr Harris.
Green Party candidate for Dublin Bay South, Hazel Chu, said that a four-day week has already been trialled around the world and at home, with "very promising results".
"Trials in the UK, Germany, Iceland and here in Ireland have found immense well-being benefits for employees, including improved physical health, better sleep, and more frequent exercise," she said.
The Sinn Féin manifesto's section on Ukraine has led to anger from some in Fine Gael.
The document contains a section which condemns the Russian invasion of Ukraine but adds: "Ukraine, Russia, the United States and the EU should play a role in bringing this conflict to an end by putting the interest of the people of the region above other geopolitical interests. All sides must cease the current unlimited supply of weapons into Ukraine which has cost hundreds of thousands of lives."
Fine Gael senator Barry Ward says that this idea would "leave Ukraine powerless".
“This is clear and further proof of Sinn Féin’s soft approach to Russia and cosying up to Putin," he said.
“We all want the war in Ukraine to end, but Ukraine’s people, as well as their borders must be protected. However, Sinn Féin believe that the war must be ended, regardless of ‘geopolitical interests."
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