The Labour party is proposing a range of employment stimulation measures including a €500m fund aimed at job creation.
Eamon Gilmore said the country could not afford to lose another generation to emigration.
As well as the stimulation fund, Labour plans a Trade Council that would co-ordinate all State agencies involved in export promotion.
The party will target the so called BRIC group – Brazil, Russia, India and China - by appointing dedicated local trade and investment teams in the four countries.
Labour would also focus on sectors like tourism and food, where Ireland already has a competitive advantage.
Mr Gilmore said the party would support innovation and research and development and would back the commercialisation of ideas generated in the laboratory.
The UNITE trade union, the second largest union in the Republic of Ireland with 60,000 members, has written to Labour party leader Eamon Gilmore pledging its support for the party's drive to become the largest party in the 31st Dáil.
