Farmers have been in focus on the fourth full day of General Election campaigning as leaders of the three largest parties met members of the Irish Farmers' Association.
Fianna Fáil committed to retaining the derogation on the Nitrates Directive, if it is returned to government, saying it would be a party priority.
Leader Micheál Martin also promised increased investment of €280 million a year in the farming sector.
Fine Gael pledged to reconnect with farmers, describing agriculture as a key part of Ireland's economic model.
Its leader Simon Harris also urged them not to vote for independent candidates on 29 November, saying the support for independents in the last election resulted in the party being part of a three-way coalition.
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald said her party would push for more payments for farmers and criticised the Carbon Tax, calling it "thoughtless and lazy".
Elsewhere, the Green Party said it would invest an additional €10 billion to accelerate the delivery of major public transport projects.
The Labour Party said it would spend the Apple tax money of €7bn on housing and €6bn on climate measures.
Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns insisted her party wants to go into government and would demand a cabinet minister for disability.
Aontú called for a stricter immigration system where more people would be returned to their countries.
People Before Profit-Solidarity vowed to abolish the means test on carers and disability allowances.
Fianna Fáil set out its plan to cut energy prices through more investment in renewable sources.
The proposals include the retention of the 9% VAT rate for electricity and gas as well as an average reduction of €40 in the Public Service Obligation (PSO) levy on bills by switching to direct State subvention.
The party also said it would invest €2.5bn to upgrade the national energy grid.
Fine Gael proposed significant changes to Inheritance Tax following on from changes in Budget 2025.
The party is expected to increase tax-free inheritance thresholds to €500,000 for children, €75,000 for siblings, and €50,000 for others.
Carbon Tax a 'lazy policy' - SF
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald described Carbon Tax as a "thoughtless policy" that was "really, really lazy".
The tax has not resulted in a reduction in climate emissions, she said, and is "not the silver bullet".
Ms McDonald also promised to push for increased Common Agricultural Policy payments and reiterated her party's opposition to the Mercosur trade deal.
She called for increased transparency in the food supply chain, promised to "remove barriers" to generational renewal and commitment to a dedicated nature restoration fund.
The Sinn Féin leader accused Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael of treating her party's supporters as "second-class citizens".
Ms McDonald made the comment after being asked about the parties refusal to enter government with Sinn Féin.
"I would ask Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael to try and muster at least a little bit of respect for the communities and the voters that vote for us. They're not second-class citizens," she said.
Public transport 'poor relation' for too long - Greens
In its manifesto, the Green Party promised to invest an additional €10bn to speed up the delivery of major public transport projects.
At the publication of the document, leader Roderic O'Gorman pledged to use €7bn of the Apple tax money and €3bn from other sources to ensure that work begins on initiatives such as MetroLink, DART+, the Luas extension, and rail projects in Cork, Limerick, Galway and Waterford.
"Public transport has been the poor relation of transport provision for too long. Only the Green Party will place that relentless focus on ensuring those big projects will get over the line and make people's lives easier," he said.
The @greenparty_ie leader @rodericogorman warns the electorate against returning a FF/FG majority government saying: Vote to send the party that delivers - the Green Party - back into the [Cabinet] room. @rtenews pic.twitter.com/2gG0737xqm
— Paul Cunningham (@RTENewsPaulC) November 12, 2024
Mr O'Gorman outlined plans to introduce a 'Climate Ticket' that will offer further savings to regular commuters as well as measures to improve the reliability of bus and rail services.
Some €105m can be raised by taxing business class flights, he added.
Mr O'Gorman warned the electorate against returning a Fianna Fáil-Fine Gael majority government saying: "Vote to send the party that delivers - the Green Party - back into the [Cabinet] room".
The party said it would return the USC to the Health Contribution Charge to fund what it described as "a modern 21st century health service fit for a wealthy republic".
Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns said that her party wants to go into government and would insist on a cabinet minister for disability.
She attacked Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael for acting as though the election result was sewn up, saying it was "astounding" to see the parties talk about what ministries they would like in any coalition.
Later, on RTÉ's Six One, Ms Cairns said that people would like a "new style of politics" and that her party's priority is investment in public services.
Aontú said it would set up a border agency to deal with increased levels of immigration.
Leader Peadar Tóibín has also proposed an Irish Sea border - at air and ferry ports in Northern Ireland - to ensure "the island can be treated as a unit in terms of the asylum process".
Mr Tóibín said it would mean the asylum process started where people landed on the island of Ireland.
People Before Profit-Solidarity pledged to abolish the means test on carers and disability allowances and to increase all disability payments to €350 per week.
