Rabbitte vows to keep taxes low
Tuesday, 19 September 2006 22:56
Labour leader Pat Rabbitte has said he has no intention of getting involved in an 'auction' over taxation policy in the run-up to the General Election.
Speaking at the conclusion of his parliamentary party meeting in Cork, Mr Rabbitte said his priority would be to tackle imbalances in many areas of Irish society, but that taxes would remain low if Labour were in Government.
Mr Rabbitte said he would be attacking what he claimed was Government incompetence in the coming Dáil term, saying they had enjoyed unprecedented resources but were unable to get the simple things right.
Earlier, Mr Rabbitte responded to the results of an opinion poll published in the Irish Examiner this morning, which indicates that support for his party has fallen by two percentage points.
Speaking on RTÉ Radio's Morning Ireland, Mr Rabbitte said the poll was out of synch with other polls showing stronger support for Labour.
Today's conference session was devoted to policing, with Denis Bradley, the former vice-chair of the Northern Ireland Policing Board, speaking on ways to ensure proper oversight of the Garda Síochána.
Last night Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny addressed the Labour Party conference, returning a similar visit by Mr Rabbitte to Fine Gael's autumn meeting in Sligo last week.
Mr Kenny said next year's election will be one of the most exciting for 30 years.
He said Fine Gael and Labour were different parties with different approaches, but together would aim to build a better Ireland, not just for the election, but for the next generation.
He said it was right and proper that the people of the country should know in advance what is on offer, and that it was healthy for democracy to have a real contest.
- Morning Ireland: Áine Lawlor talks to Pat Rabbitte, Labour Party leader, at his party's think-in in Cork about this morning's poll results and what proposals his party will bring to the electorate next year
- Morning Ireland: Harry McGee, Irish Examiner Political Editor, discusses the findings of the poll by Lansdowne Market Research and what they could mean if replicated in the next election
- Morning Ireland: Speaking on this programme last week, Enda Kenny, Fine Gael leader, said he believes his party and Labour will be able to form a Government after the next General Election
- Morning Ireland: Cian McCormack talks to Labour candidates at the party's think-in in Cork about Labour election prospects as this morning's poll shows their support falling two points to 10%
- Prime Time: John Minihan, of the PDs, Labour's Joan Burton and Cliff Taylor of The Sunday Business Post, discuss the issue of tax reform
- Prime Time: Rita O'Reilly reports that there is a degree of support for Michael McDowell's stamp duty reform proposal
- Prime Time: Cliff Taylor, editor of The Sunday Business Post, discusses the merit of the Tánaiste's recent proposal
- Prime Time: Katie Hannon analyses Progressive Democrats leader Michael McDowell's plans to abolish stamp duty
- Nine News: Rabbitte will not get involved in 'auction' over taxes
