Fine Gael leader Mr Michael Noonan launched the party’s General Election manifesto today saying the electorate must choose between two types of Ireland.
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Michael Noonan launches the Fine General Election manifesto at the Mansion House in Dublin today
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He said if the outgoing Government is returned to power a "short-sighted, selfish, unfair and inward looking society" would be created. He contrasted this with his vision for "an Ireland that is forward-looking, compassionate and generous".
Fine Gael also launched their ‘big idea’ - a scheme in which the taxpayer would become a shareholder in an investment scheme managed by the National Treasury Management Agency (NTMA).
They propose giving tax rebates based on a proportion of any budget surplus. The rebates would come in the form of bonds held in an investment scheme managed by the NTMA that can be cashed in after five years.
Currently both employers and unions seem agreed that another partnership deal will not be agreed after the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness runs out.
Mr Noonan said he was "committed to social partnership" but warned: "further tax cuts cannot be part of a social partnership consideration." He said he believed the rebate idea could be discussed as an incentive to get unions and employers to agree a new deal.
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Senior Fine Gael figures watch on as leader Michael Noonan outlines the details of the party’s manifesto
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He said the National Development Plan would be paid for by borrowing about a third of the requirement with public private partnerships, current budget surpluses and EU money, he said.
He said his party’s plan to finance spending was transparent in contrast with Fianna Fail’s proposals. Referring to Fianna Fail’s National Development Finance Agency proposal, Mr Noonan said: "It seems to me that Fianna Fail is adopting an Enron approach to running the country, hiding liabilities off the balance sheet".
He said the party would prioritise removing anyone on minimum wage from the tax net and would apply it retrospectively, rebating any excess paid this year. A new 30 per cent tax band was also proposed and he reiterated there would be no tax increases, whether corporate, income or value-added.
He also promised a 20 per cent tax credit for money spent on childcare.
Highlighting the party’s emphasis on quality of life issues he promised a number of measures aimed at making housing more affordable and building a health service where services would be provided based on need rather than on "the money in your pocket".
Mr Noonan also promised a minister with specific responsibility for transport, a Dublin transport authority and free Dublin buses between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Returning to the main theme of the party's election campaign encapsulated in the manifesto's title, Towards a Better Quality of Life, Mr Noonan concluded: "Our policies will eliminate poverty within five years, transform the quality of life of our citizens and bring about a just and fair society".