IN publishing a manifesto for the "Millennium Government 1997-2002", Fine Gael identified its main objectives as a consolidation of the high growth and low inflation performance of recent years, linked with sound public finances and continued tax reform and reductions.
The fight against crime and drugs; support for families and children; care for the elderly and incapacitated; a reduction in long term unemployment; easier access to education; protection of the environment and the promotion of a peaceful settlement in Northern Ireland, were all listed as priorities.
On agriculture, Fine Gael committed itself to protecting farmers against changes in EU policy. Compensation would be provided through direct income support for reductions in agricultural prices; EU financing of the CAP would be insisted on quotas and other production rights would be protected. A Food Safety Authority would be established. A Minister for Rural Development would be appointed and a White Paper on rural development would be published.
Semistate commercial companies would be encouraged to behave as if they were corporations in the private sector by requiring them to generate dividends for the Exchequer. Fine Gael would favourably consider the sale of equity or a public flotation in the cases of the Trustee Savings Bank, Coillte, the Great Southern Hotels and Irish Fertiliser Industries.