Leaders back on campaign trail

The Taoiseach, Tánaiste and other party leaders are back on the election campaign trail today after a brief respite yesterday…

The Taoiseach, Tánaiste and other party leaders are back on the election campaign trail today after a brief respite yesterday during ceremonies to mark the restoration of powersharing in Belfast.

Mr Ahern and other politicians are attending a 1916 commemoration ceremony in Arbour Hill this morning and the Taoiseach will then visit the National Museum in Collins Barracks to view one of Patrick Pearse's last letters. Later he will canvas in Ballyfermot and Crumlin.

The Taoiseach's party colleagues Minister for Finance Brian Cowen, Minister for Social and Family Affairs Seamus Brennan and Minister for Foreign Affairs Dermot Ahern are holding a news conference on corporation tax.

The Tánaiste and Progressive Democrats leader Michael McDowell will be in the IFSC where he will launch a poster campaign for his party focussing on "long-lasting prosperity".

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Labour's spokesman on enterprise, trade and employment Ruairi Quinn, and the party's candidate for Dublin South, Alex White, will launch the party's plan to protect and improve labour standards in Ireland.

Labour leader Pat Rabbitte is visiting Kerry North where here will visit the home of Ted and Evelyn Scanlon in Cloonanoirg to highlight his party's policy on carers including the abolition of the means testing system for the carers' allowance.

Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny will focus on hospital hygiene and will distribute disinfectant hand gel at the entrance of the Rotunda Hospital in Parnell Street, Dublin. He will then conduct a walkabout in the Ilac Centre and meeting shoppers on Henry Street. Later, he will visit the Longford/Westmeath constituency.

Green Party leader Trevor Sargent canvassed in Balbriggan train station this morning and later the party is launching its priorities for Cork. Afterwards the party will launch its Dublin manifesto. Mr Sargent will travel to Galway in the afternoon where the party has launched its Galway manifesto. He visits Connemara this evening.

Sinn Féin, meanwhile, announce their housing strategy. Environment spokesman Arthur Morgan will be joined by party representatives for Dublin North West and Mid West, Dessie Ellis and Joanne Spain. Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams will be on the campaign trail in the South East when he will be canvassing with David Cullinane in Waterford and John Dwyer in Wexford.