The Taoiseach has promised to keep taxes down, put more Gardaí on the streets, and end hospital waiting lists if returned to power. At the launch of the Fianna Fáil manifesto ahead of the 17 May General Election, Bertie Ahern also unveiled proposals for a new agency to raise finance for infrastructure projects.
Under the slogan, "A lot done, more to do", Fianna Fáil is stressing its record in Government as it goes before the electorate. It has also made new pledges, including a €200-a-week old age pension, a permanent end to hospital waiting lists within two years, and new legislation to give rights to the disabled.
The party has promised an extra 2,000 Gardaí, with more civilian back-up to allow them out on the beat. Tough new laws to tackle drugs are proposed, including a requirement on convicted drug dealers to register with the Gardaí.
Mr Ahern said there would be no tax increases, claiming all these promises could be funded out of the extra revenue generated by renewed economic buoyancy.
The Taoiseach said he recognised the frustrations which people have at the pace of vital infrastructural development. His big idea to tackle this is a new National Development Finance Agency, which will raise an extra €2bn per year for roads, public transport, hospitals and schools through public-private partnerships and bond issues.
Mr Ahern said such bond issues would not count as borrowing under European rules for productive projects. He insisted that he was putting a conservatively based programme before the people, because of the need for cautious handling of the economy.
