Labour manifesto:Tax changes, extra hospital beds, increased funds for education and more gardaí on the beat are among the main features of The Fair Society, Labour's election manifesto, which was launched yesterday.
The principal policy elements include the following:
• Two per cent cut in standard rate of tax;
• Increase in home carers' credit from €770 to €1,760 (the level of PAYE credit);
• 2,300 more beds "in clean hospitals";
• Triple the number of community gardaí to 1,500;
• "Begin to Buy" scheme for those in work and with a demonstrable need for housing;
• One year of free preschool education for every child;
• Increasing by €5,000 the level at which one-income families reach the higher rate of tax;
• Reform of stamp duty to favour first-time house buyers;
• A taxpayers' advocate to ensure that PAYE workers in particular get the tax credits to which they are entitled;
• Solve the Accident and Emergency crisis with "practical measures to manage demand";
• 10,000 social housing units a year;
• Legislation to ensure that, in line with the United Nations target, a total of 0.7 per cent of Gross National Product is allocated annually in overseas aid.
Other proposals which are likely to attract attention include a Commission on Taxation, "to examine tax schemes on an ongoing basis". The manifesto states: "The spectacle of millionaires paying little or no tax is both profoundly unfair and corrosive of public confidence in the tax code."
On decentralisation, Labour promises an "immediate audit" of existing plans. The party intends to reverse the decision to move some of the core policy planning units of government departments away from Dublin.
In education, the party proposes increased funding for schools and intends to "double primary capitation and increase capitation for second-level schools by €300 per pupil".
The manifesto also proposes to abolish part-time fees for first-time undergraduates and establish an "Open University of Ireland".
On global warming, Labour urges the addition of a "Climate Change Protocol" to the stalled EU constitutional treaty.
With Galway water pollution still in the headlines, Labour is proposing to establish a legal right to clean, potable water. It also seeks to ensure that there is no privatisation of the public water supply and no reintroduction of domestic water charges.
The manifesto calls for the establishment of a new State body to develop infrastructure for recycling products and a market for recycled products.
On the role of An Garda Síochána, Labour would place a much greater emphasis on community policing.
This would involve a much greater physical presence on the ground - walking the beat, patrols on public transport and visiting schools.
The manifesto seeks to provide in law for an offence of joyriding: directing or participating in the unlawful taking of a vehicle for the purposes of dangerous driving in a public place.
Labour would seek to have civil union legislation enacted for gay couples, who would have the same rights, privileges and benefits and be subject to the same obligations, penalties and other sanctions as those that apply to spouses in a marriage.
In foreign policy, Labour remains committed to the principle that Ireland should not become party to any mutual defence treaty or any EU agreement for common defence. "The Irish people prize their tradition of military neutrality and we intend to uphold our Labour tradition of positive neutrality."
The manifesto opposes the use of Irish airspace or facilities such as Shannon airport to facilitate "the illegally-declared war in Iraq". In an apparent reference to the practice of "extraordinary rendition", the party says it would ensure compliance with human rights obligations through monitoring and inspection measures.
On gender equality, Labour would tie public funding for political parties to the level of participation by women as public representatives those parties achieve.
On parliamentary reform, the party seeks a 50 per cent increase in Dáil sitting days. The Dáil would meet four days a week when in session and holiday periods would be significantly reduced.
