The Green Party has published its General Election manifesto promising 'an honest and prudent tax package and better public services'.
Among other measures, the party is promising to ban the advertising, marketing and promotion of junk food to children under 12; a move towards increasing the State pension to 60% of average income; and replacing pension tax relief with a new matching contribution scheme aimed at low income savers.
The Greens are also proposing to reduce the number of TDs from 166 to 130 and more than double Dáil sitting time.
Party leader Trevor Sargent says any prospective coalition partners would need to look at its manifesto closely.
Fine Gael/Labour joint conference
Fine Gael and Labour have said a vote for them in the General Election is a vote for change.
At their first joint press conference of the official campaign, Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny said it was a crucial and exciting time in Irish politics.
He said it was the first time in ten years that the electorate had been given a real choice.
In order to change the system, however, the people have to change the Government, he added.
The choice was stark and simple, he said: to limp along with a Government with no agreed programme, or choose to vote for Fine Gael/Labour as the only parties who have agreed a joint costed programme in areas like health and policing.
Labour leader Pat Rabbitte said the two parties now face the real prospect of being in Government in three weeks' time.
He said in 2002 there was not an alternative, but there is now. More and more people are aware of that and its credibility, he added.
Mr Rabbitte said the country had made great progress, but there was great disenchantment that the fruits of the boom have not been used more wisely.
He said the big issues everywhere he goes are hospitals, schools and public transport.
Fianna Fáil hopes it can concentrate on justice and security issues. The PDs will focus on health.
Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams is in Cork to launch the party's election campaign there.
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