Alliance for change will set country on new path
Issued : Friday 4 May, 2007
Statement by Pat Rabbitte TD
Minister for Communications, Energy & Natural Resources
Joint Statement by Pat Rabbitte and Enda Kenny
Since September 2004, our two parties have worked together to present the Irish people, not alone with a choice of Governments, but with a choice of futures for our country. Voting for the Alliance for Change will set our country on a new path towards a Fair Society and a Better Ireland
A vote for Fine Gael and Labour is a vote for change.
Never before in the history of the State have two parties come together in advance of a general election to present detailed agreed policies to the people. At our meeting in Mullingar in 2006, we committed ourselves to developing joint policies on health, policing and on economic management. As the election campaign begins, the Irish people now have before them our comprehensive proposals on these vital issues.
We now seek a mandate for those policies and for a Government committed to change.
Our detailed proposals for Health reform set out a blueprint for a health service based on excellence, equity and efficiency. We are committed to a major expansion in bed capacity, to tackling the crisis in A&E, and to a New Deal for Children's Health. We will address the needs of those with mental illness, and act to redress the rising incidence of suicide in our society.
Our economic policies set out an agenda for economic stability and growth. We will manage the public finances strictly within the terms of the European Stability and Growth Pact. At the same time, we will nurture an enterprising knowledge-based economy, building a new platform of competitive advantage, that will deliver high quality employment and rising incomes. We will invest in public services, and reform the tax system in the interests of fairness and of families.
We are determined to provide our people with better policing, making Gardai visible in the communities they serve. We will build on the proud record of An Garda Síochana to provide the Irish people with the modern, efficient and effective police service that they deserve. As a Government, we will directly confront the threat to the security of the State and its people from organised crime.
To effect change in our country, we must change Government itself. We have published detailed proposals for the reform of the Oireachtas, to place the Dáil once more at the centre of our national life. We have committed ourselves to reform of the executive, to make Government accountable, and to end the wanton waste of taxpayers' money that has been the hallmark of this Government. Through reform, investment and modernisation of the public service, we will build modern, high-quality public services. We will maintain, reform and enhance Ireland's social partnership, while giving the Oireachtas a more direct role in the partnership arrangements.
We believe that the Irish people expect Ireland to fully embrace the responsibilities and duties of global citizenship and solidarity among peoples. We are committed to meeting the UN target of 0.7% of GNP for Official Development Assistance, and to establishing that contribution in Irish law.
We are determined to offer the people a Government of drive and imagination, committed to serve the interests of the Irish people, and willing to be held accountable to them.
The specific joint commitments agreed between the two parties include:
Better Health Services :
- 2,300 acute hospital beds
- Free Health Insurance for every child under 16
- Free GP visits for every child under 5
- Confront the Rise of Suicide
- Extend medical cards to 40% of population
- Clean hospitals
- Reform to ensure money follows patient
Protecting the Progress: Tax
A More Progressive and Family Friendly Income Tax Code
- Cut the standard rate of tax by 2% from 20% to 18%.
- index personal credits and bands to earnings.
- increase the home carers' credit to the level of the PAYE credit.
- increase by a further €5,000 the point where one-income married couples hit the top rate of tax.
A Fairer Stamp Duty Regime
- abolish Stamp Duty for First Time Buyers up to €450,000.
- restructure the stamp duty system for others buyers as follows:
No stamp duty up to €100,000
On the next €350,000 a 5% rate will apply
On the balance a 9% rate will apply
Jobs
- We will maintain the 12.5% single rate of Corporation Tax and the current rate of capital gains tax
- We will introduce further tax measures to make investment in high-tech, export oriented Irish firms more attractive to investors.
- We will increase direct state support for the development of the Irish venture capital (VC) industry through Enterprise Ireland.
- We will up-skill 100,000 people by one level under the National Qualifications Framework
Better Policing
- At least 15,000 Gardai new and innovative community policing;
- Policing forums that involve local communities in policing plans in more areas
- An Independent Garda Authority to drive the reform agenda
- Radically revising Garda rostering so that Gardaí are on the streets where and when they are most needed
- Ensuring the comprehensive civilianisation of the Force so that the maximum number of Gardaí are available for frontline duties
