Summary of PD Manifesto

Full manifesto available at www.progressivedemocrats.ie

Welcome

Our country has made remarkable progress in the past ten years. Over two million people at work, virtual full employment, an end to enforced emigration and the prospect of lasting peace in Northern Ireland. This is progress many of us could not have dreamt of.

This did not happen by accident. It is the fruit While there has been some focus on job losses of your hard work. It is also the fruit of good, recently, it is important to note that new job experienced, steady government. gains continue to exceed job losses by a substantial margin. This position will Our economic growth has provided the resources continue only as long as our country continues to make unprecedented investment in essential to be both a magnet for inward investment and public services such as health, education and in a place where Irish businesspeople can invest our infrastructure. This investment has improved with confidence. both Ireland’s competitiveness and the quality of life that Irish families now enjoy. I invite you to consider our proposals for continued prosperity and progress and to The prosperity that brought this dramatic change support the return of the Progressive Democrats was unleashed by the policies of low taxes, to government, by voting Number One for our competition and investment in innovation and candidate in your constituency. enterprise that the Progressive Democrats championed in government.

Although we have achieved much success, we Michael McDowell, td still face major challenges. Above all, we face the Party Leader challenge of ensuring that we continue to Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, develop in an environmentally safe way – yet in a Equality and Law Reform way that continues to meet the economic needs and expectations of our growing population.

contents 7 Tough on Crime 13 Supporting Rural Life 17 Cherishing our Culture Published by 8 Fairer Stamp Duty 14 Transport and and Language Zahra Publishing Ltd. 3 Helping Families 10 Better Healthcare Infrastructure 18 Our Candidates 19 Railway Road, Dalkey, Co.Dublin. 4 Lower Taxes 12 Protecting Our 16 Educating for Success 19 What have the PDs ever T (01) 235 1408 6 Rewarding Pensioners Environment done for me? E [email protected]

PAGE 2 | WWW.PROGRESSIVEDEMOCRATS.IE “Making sure our children are safe and well-provided for is a special task for society. When it comes to the welfare of our young people, the Progressive Democrats take our responsibility in government really seriously. That is why we will invest €12 billion to provide childcare services, child protection and recreational facilities for our children”.

Key Progressive Democrats proposals:

1 Increase the children under-6 payment from Helping Families €1,000 to at least €2,000 per year.

2 Provide an extra 50,000 new childcare places In our rapidly changing Ireland, one truly Participation in sport is by 2010. central to the health and welcome change has been for our children. There well-being of our children has been a massive reduction in poverty in this 3 Make schools accessible to students outside and the nation. country in the past decade with at least 250,000 normal school hours to help commuting parents. people lifted out of deprivation. Some 100,000 of 4 Provide one year’s free community based these were children. pre-school initially for children from low-income families, and extending it to all The economic and social policies spearheaded by children over time. the Progressive Democrats have helped deliver a large increase in employment and large increases in the 5 Deliver social housing for 60,000 new households. level of social welfare payments, particularly in recent Our Sports Policy is aimed at years. The increase in employment has led to 6 Increase child benefit payments to address any encouraging and facilitating increased demands on our time – particularly for rising cost of living. increased participation and those with children. access to sport and physical activity by providing commu- 7 Create a new Child Protection Unit for all issues nity-based, multi-faceted We recognise that balancing family and work related to child welfare in our education system. sports facilities at local level. commitments is a real challenge in modern society, Guarantee a joint-organisational response to child We will deliver more local and we know how important it is to spend quality welfare cases and ensure that every school swimming pools, and a new time as a family, to share together in everything that produces a localised, school-specific anti-bullying network of community sports our new Ireland has to offer. Here we present just a programme – every year. complexes across the country. To further help our young few of our ideas to make sure Irish families and people, we will provide children have what they need to prosper together in 8 Invest €60 million in the National Children’s funding to encourage the the new Ireland. Strategy to advance the interests and well-being establishment of more youth of our children. cafés nationwide, and create a corps of professional trainers to co-ordinate voluntary youth activities in communities.

DON’ T THROW IT ALL AWAY | PAGE 3 “Over the past 20 years, only when the Progressive Democrats were in government have we seen major reductions in the tax burden. Low taxes on hard-working families and enterprise have always been at the heart of our policy. Not only because this is fair, but because it creates the economic dynamism that enables us to meet our social priorities.”

Put the PDs in the next government, and we will:

1 Reduce the standard rate of income tax to 18% and Lower Taxes the higher rate of income tax to 38%.

Since we returned to office in 1997, the standard tax rate has been reduced from 2 Ensure that a couple, both earning, can earn at 26% to 20% and the top rate from 48% to 41%. At the same time, tax credits least up to €100,000 and a single worker can earn at least €50,000 and still only pay tax at the that favour the lower paid were introduced and the level of income at which standard rate. people face the top rate of tax increased dramatically. As a result, today: 3 Ensure that no income tax is payable by couples • Nobody earning the minimum wage pays income tax. earning at least up to €40,000 and single persons • A single person on average earnings pays only 9% earning up to at least €20,000. of their salary in tax, as against 22% in 1997. q&a • The top 1% of income earners pays over 20% of the 4 Ensure no new taxes or levies on employment. total income tax take. 5 Maintain the Corporation Tax rate at 12.5% and question I am wor- This has resulted in a level of economic activity that the Capital Gains Tax rate at 20%. ried about increasing has generated sufficient revenue to enable us to invest job losses in the substantial resources in critical areas such as health, multinational sector. education, poverty reduction and infrastructure. It None of us wants to return to an era of spendthrift What will the PDs do? has also allowed us to almost halve the National Debt politics where our children’s long-term future is at answer The Progressive from 64% to 23% of national income. risk. All of our financial commitments are subject to Democrats will build on the proviso that we maintain budgetary prudence. Our the recommendations of We will continue a progressive and prudent platform of financial prudence for the next term of the Enterprise Strategy programme of tax reductions and reforms (see box) government is composed of three elements: Group to (i) invest heavily that will ensure that you and your family continue to • While the economy continues to grow, we will in skills, education and share in the fruits of economic growth. This maintain budget surpluses. training, (ii) increase programme will also ensure that we have sufficient • Regardless of economic circumstances, we will R&D funding by the resources to continue to improve public services and maintain our obligations under the European State and (iii) get the infrastructure, without recourse to borrowing. Monetary Union, ie. under the Growth and IDA to target sales and Stability Pact. marketing and European In fact, under our prudent approach, by 2013 Ireland • All of our tax and spending proposals depend on HQ projects to locate here. will have no net national debt. budgetary prudence being maintained.

PAGE 4 | WWW.PROGRESSIVEDEMOCRATS.IE Average income tax rate

Progressive Democrats founded in 1985 55%

50%

45%

40%

35%

30% 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007

Progressive Democrats not in office Progressive Democrats in office

One of the Progressive Democrats But look carefully at the pattern of in government again – income tax core goals since our foundation in tax cuts. Taking the simple average rates have been moving in only 1985 has been to reduce the tax of all income tax rates, we can see one direction: downwards. q&a burden on working people. At that income tax rates rose steeply that time, in 1985, Ireland was when Fine Gael and Labour were in Today, many Parties champion governed by Fine Gael and Labour government during the 1980s. the low-tax agenda. But look at question What will and the basic rate of income tax They fell sharply when the PDs the graph. Only the PDs deliver you do about large was 35% and the average rate were in government between 1989 consistently on the low-tax agenda. businesses that seem of income tax was 47%. Since and 1992. Then – when Labour Why would a future government to raise prices at will? then, income tax rates have been replaced the PDs in government without the PDs deliver on tax answer We will massively reduced. during the mid-1990s – tax rates reform when past governments empower the flatlined. Since 1997 – with the PDs without the PDs never did? Competition Authority to prosecute cases on its own initiative. The law will be changed to allow for the imposition of Ciarán is a computer technician earning €45,000 a year administrative fines by and Mary is a sales representative earning €35,000. On a the Competition joint income of €80,000, they currently pay €11,480 in Authority where income tax. Under our proposals, they would pay €6,400. anti-competitive activity This is a saving of €5,080 or 44%. is established. We will fast-track competition However, people’s incomes tend to grow. If Ciarán cases. We will also and Mary’s earnings grow by 25% over the next 5 years, case study case change the law to allow then their earnings will be €100,000. Without our reforms, the Dáil to issue a their tax bill would be €19,680 as against €10,000 – direction to any a saving of 49%. Furthermore, despite an additional Regulator on any matter €20,000 in earnings, they would still be paying less of public concern that income tax than they will pay this year. falls within its remit.

DON’ T THROW IT ALL AWAY | PAGE 5 “Older people today are more youthful than ever before. Better diets and better healthcare have contributed to people living longer and feeling younger than ever before.

”Older people have already worked hard and many have reared families. Now it is important that they can live their lives free from financial insecurity and free from worries about who will look after them should they need care as they get older. That is our goal.”

In government, the Progressive Democrats will:

1 Increase the basic State pension to €300 per Rewarding Pensioners week by 2012.

2 Establish an Ombudsman for Older People as a Up to recently, the system of support for people needing My promise to you is a statutory office to be an advocate for older nursing home care was unfair, unpredictable and, in some simple one. people, as well as providing a dedicated service cases, financially devastating. Mary Harney has now for redress. We will strongly support and “We will continue the implement the new Health Information and introduced a Fair Deal for Nursing Home Costs to address unprecedented expansion of Quality Authority’s role in enforcing standards community care for older the problem. If returned to government, we will continue in nursing homes and residential care settings. people that we have put in to roll out the plan. place since 2005, with additional home care 3 Introduce a Special Pension Incentive Account spia No one will ever be asked to sell their home to secure packages, home help hours ( ) where the State will contribute €1 for and palliative care. We will long-term care. If a person needs full-time care in a every €2 contributed by the individual. It will continue to give the highest operate in lieu of other pension tax reliefs so that nursing home, special rules will apply. No one will levels of priority to services for ever be asked to contribute more than four-fifths of older people.” people investing in their pensions will be able to their own, actual disposable income. A Deferred elect for this new scheme of benefits, or for the Contribution of a maximum of 5% of the value of a existing scheme of benefits in any tax year. principal private residence (2.5% for a spouse) will be 4 Expand community care for older people with made for each year of care – up to a maximum of three additional home-care packages, home-help hours years. After three years in care, no additional amount and palliative care. will be added. 5 Develop 500 primary care teams to improve Unlike the old system, no family members will be access to services in the community, with required to come up with cash to pay for their particular emphasis on meeting the needs of parent’s care and, of course, there will be no holders of medical cards. means-testing of relatives. No person in care, their spouse or a dependant child, will ever be forced to 6 As of April 2007, the amount which people can Mary Harney TD mortgage or sell their house to pay for care. Minister for Health and Children earn before their carers allowance is reduced (income disregard) will be increased to €320 This is one very important way in which we will (single)/€640 (couple) per week. In government show our older people the respect they are due. we will at least double the disregards to €640 (single)/€1,280 (couple) per week. PAGE 6 | WWW.PROGRESSIVEDEMOCRATS.IE Michael McDowell ran into a wave of our neighbourhoods. The Garda Reserve protest when he proposed the has now been successfully established. Garda Reserve. But Michael McDowell If re-elected, we will increase the size of persevered with his plans for increased the reserve to 3,200 members. citizen involvement in stopping crime in PDs 5 point-plan for combating crime:

Tough on Crime 1 Increase garda numbers from 14,000 to 16,000. 2 Rebalance further the criminal law to make it fairer for victims – defendants will be required to outline The public is rightly concerned about drugs and The safety of citizens at their defence at the beginning of a trial. The murderous gangland crime. We are taking action. home and on our streets is a prosecution will be able to challenge miscarriages Operation Anvil has targeted extra gardaí and core concern for the of justice in the event of newly discovered Progressive Democrats. intelligence resources on the problem. evidence. Courts will have discretion “Significant progress has been to admit evidence obtained in good faith. The Criminal Assets Bureau is now targeting made in the fight against crime middle-ranking criminals in the drugs trade. Anyone by this government. Garda 3 Invest in the garda – we will update pulse and convicted of possessing illegal drugs with a value of numbers have been increased to we’ll computerise fingerprint and dna records. half a million euros or more will get a mandatory ten 14,000. Life sentences are now We will invest in Garda radio, cars and protective longer. We have more year prison sentence. A person convicted of a serious equipment. We will increase civilian support closed-circuit-TV (CCTV) offence, who commits another serious offence within systems. We have introduced with an extra 1,200 administrative staff plus new 3 seven years, will be imprisoned for at least ⁄4 of the Anti-Social Behaviour Orders crime analysts. maximum sentence for the second offence. These (ASBOs), and the independent measures will effectively tackle gangland and Office of the Garda Ombudsman 4 Improve Garda efficiency – the Garda Inspectorate has been established.” drug-related crime. will improve Garda efficiency through improved deployment and operations. We will put a Five years ago, public-order offences were a major computerised system in place to help match focus of public concern about crime. We took action. Garda numbers and resources with changing The Intoxicating Liquor Act 2003 reduced excessive circumstances on the ground. drinking. Local partnerships involving gardaí, publicans and judges were set up to address the 5 Invest in cctv – we will roll out more Garda cctv problem. And additional cctv systems deterred systems and support community-based cctv, misbehaviour. especially for sheltered and senior accommodation.

And the result? While public order offences have not been eliminated, they have been significantly reduced Michael McDowell TD in number since 2002. Party Leader Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform

DON’ T THROW IT ALL AWAY | PAGE 7 Fairer Stamp Duty

Stamp duty is unfair. It is unfair in the way it is applied In the next government, and on whom it is applied. That is why changing stamp the Progressive Democrats duty completely – to make it fair – is at the heart of will also tackle the problems with manage- Progressive Democrats taxation policy in this general ment companies. election. We have pledged to act on the issue of stamp duty and that is what we will do.

If you are a first-time buyer buying a new or second-hand house – we will make sure you pay case study no stamp duty. Zero.

If you are not buying for the first time, we will Engaged couple Paul and Marian (above) are in their drastically cut your stamp duty bill anyway by thirties and live and work in Kildare. “Before we met, We propose to strengthen the “banding” the rates. See Q&A opposite. we each bought one-bedroom apartments here in rights of homeowners and tenants, to ensure transparen- Maynooth. Now that we are getting married, we are The Progressive Democrats determination to reform cy, reasonableness, and looking to buy a home together,” states Paul. “We are stamp duty, which we always envisaged to be part of fairness of service charges. very happy and quite settled in Maynooth and have the next programme for government, put the issue found a house we like. It will cost us in the region of firmly on the political agenda and forced others to A proper legal €600,000. That’s a lot for us, but because the apart- structure for multi-unit follow our lead. It is not fair on Irish families to be ments are worth around €300,000 each, we figured (apartment) developments is burdened with massive stamp duty costs when the needed, and the PDs commit we’d be okay,” explains Marian. Paul says they State is taking in much more than ever anticipated. to introducing this if we are couldn’t believe they faced an additional €45,000 in part of the next government. stamp duty to buy the €600,000 house. “I hope the PD plan is put in place because we should not have to pay about one-and-a-half times the average wage just to move in together and without increasing the net value of our property.”

PAGE 8 | WWW.PROGRESSIVEDEMOCRATS.IE “Now that the kids are getting bigger, our starter home is getting smaller! When we went to look at a new home, we were shocked to hear we faced a whopping €38,000 in stamp duty on top of the cost of the house. We need to move and I’m sure a younger couple would find our current house ideal. Something should be done to help all of us. And soon.”

above “Our place is getting a bit big for us now that the kids have moved out. We did toy with the idea of moving into a smaller second- hand house nearby costing €450,000. It was a far more manageable size and suited us q&a PDs stamp duty plan down to the ground. What didn’t suit us was the €33,000 stamp duty bill! Unless the PDs change 1 We will make stamp duty fair for first time the system, it’s not fair to those question I hear people talking about “banding” buyers and those trading up or down. trading up or down.” stamp duty. What exactly does that mean?

2 We will abolish stamp duty for ALL first-time answer A key part of our plan to make stamp duty buyers regardless of cost, unlike other fair for all is to make sure you pay stamp duty only on parties’ proposals. PD savings on average home the amount above each threshold – this is called

€15,000 “banding”. For example, there is a 7.5% stamp duty

3 We will make stamp duty fair by “banding” €15,500 save 53% charge on houses costing €381,001 – €635,000. At the rates so that owner-occupiers pay the higher moment, if you buy a property for €430,000 your current spend current €10,000 rate only on the portion of the price over stamp duty bill is an additional €32,250 (7.5% of each threshold. €430,000). The stamp duty is applied to the full

€7,2500 €5,000 €430,000. We think this is unfair. We say you should 4 We will push to implement these changes with only pay the rate that applies to each of the bands immediate effect in order to remove uncertainty spend proposed and on the amount over the threshold. Under our from the market. The Progressive Democrats banding proposal, your stamp duty bill for that same plans will more than halve the €430,000 home will be slashed to €15,200 – saving stamp duty to be paid on an you €17,050. average Irish home. If we are elected to question case study government, we will cut this Won’t your plans mean massive new-home tax from €15,500 savings for first-time buyers buying million-euro reply to €7,250. Under our stamp homes, and for investors? duty proposals, you would It is obvious to the Progressive Democrats at least save €8,250 or 53% of your answer No, on both counts. Our plans are targeted bill. And this is just on a that this situation is unreasonable for Marian and at people starting out on the property ladder and, as a national average house price Paul. Under our banding proposal, this couple of €310,000. This money will result, the abolition will apply only to homes less than could buy their new house with a stamp duty bill mean a great deal to young 125 square metres, not million-euro homes or of just €27,855 compared to €45,000 – a massive people starting out in life who mansions. In addition, our plan applies only to the saving of €17,145. This money would mean a great simply wish to buy a modest principal place of residence, and so will not provide home to suit their needs. The deal to a newly married couple. To help savings for the investor market. We are determined Progressive Democrats were couples like Paul and Marian, and others, vote the first to propose the right to help families take the necessary steps as their number one for your local PD candidate. solution, and one that makes a circumstances change over the course of their lives. real difference.

DON’ T THROW IT ALL AWAY | PAGE 9 “Health is a central feature in our lives. Health is a central issue in our politics. And health is a major subject of media comment. Much of that comment centres on the competing claims of various interests who operate in the health system. The Progressive Democrats are not aligned with any particular interest within the health system. Our goal is simple. Our goal is promoting the interests of patients.”

PD Guarantees to Patients:

1 No-one will wait more than six hours for Better Healthcare admission at A&E.

2 Offer of appointment for elective hospital Health is an area with many strong and well-entrenched vested interests. But it is also a treatment within two months. sector with thousands of dedicated professionals who want to better the lives of others, every day. The Progressive Democrats and Mary Harney recognise this. Working together, 3 Patients in hospital will be discharged as soon as we want to drive a major health reform programme focused on guaranteeing the right of medically ready, seven days a week. every Irish citizen to first-class treatment, irrespective of means. 4 Recruit 1,500 additional hospital consultants. Two-and-a-half years ago, Mary Harney And we are making real progress. Since voluntarily took on the job of Minister 1997, the number of patients waiting for 5 Quality cancer care for people in every region. for Health & Children. Since then she elective surgery in our hospitals has has worked tirelessly to bring the Irish been halved. 6 Assured frequency of cancer screening calls for people a world-class health service, and breast, cervical and colorectal cancer. to ensure that the €14 billion provided Our work in A&E is bearing fruit. by Irish taxpayers this year for the The numbers awaiting admission to 7 All children needing cardiac and cancer care pro- health services is well spent. A&E are down by 40% compared with a cedures will be treated as soon as medically ready. year ago. 8 All beds in publicly-funded hospitals will be There is much more to be done. We routinely available to all patients. need to achieve practical improvements like providing for seven-day hospital 9 Standards of hygiene and infection control discharges (Monday to Friday at fully enforced. present), and we need to reduce the time patients stay in hospital at least to 10 No-one will face unaffordable nursing home the European average. care costs.

Mary Harney TD We’re getting results. You can ensure 11 Clear standards set and enforced for nursing homes. Minister for Health and Children that Mary Harney is in a position to return to the Department of Health & 12 Assessment for services and a personal plan for Children to finish the job by giving persons with disabilities. your No. 1 vote to the PDs.

PAGE 10 | WWW.PROGRESSIVEDEMOCRATS.IE ensc since.” been sick andhaven't feel somuch better afterwards. Inow couple a ofdays for andrest had to stay onenight treatment. operation “The was quick. I only quicker her to offer Purchase Fund (NTPF) wrote to her operation, the National Treatment her waiting for three months 2005 and, because she was over October in Register Treatment wasMary addedto thePatient andhave a sore throat.” uncomfortable to eat Iwould havea lot. ahigh temperature, find it coupleevery ofweeks with my tonsils andoffschool in aprivate hospital, in March 2006. “Iwould besick tonsils removed from Blanchardstown, had her Hospital, Mary Tallaght at wait Following atwo-year case study Scotland, Swedenand Wales. Norway, NorthernIreland, England, France,Iceland, Italy, have beenannouncedin Ireland’s lead.Smokingbans European countrieshavefollowed Since 2004, manyother cigarettes thanbefore. that theyaresmokingfewer And manysmokersreport smoking intheirworkplace. from theeffectsofpassive feel cleaner. Nobodyisatrisk restaurants smellcleanerand major success.Ourpubsand clear thatthebanhasbeena scepticism beforetheban,itis of work.Despiteconsiderable in publicbuildingsandplaces countries, bybanningsmoking the wayamongEuropean On 29March2004, Irelandled 75.0 75.5 76.0 76.5 77.0 77.5 78.0 78.5 79.0 79.5 Strategy 2011goalof3,000newbeds. more thanfour-fifthsofthewaytowardsHealth beds beingfreedupbyourinitiative above, we willbe public capitalprogramme.Andwithmorethan1,000 We areplanninganadditional400bedsthroughthe We have addedmorethan1,100 new bedssince2001. answer beds inourhospitals? question for publicuse.That’s in the interestofpatients. Our planswillreclaimpublicbedsinhospitals hospitals tomakethemavailabletreat allpatients. we willfree upmorethan1,000bedsinpublic facilities tobeco-located onpublichospital campuses, By gettingtheprivate sector tofinanceprivate being usedforprivate patients. insured patients. Inaddition, manypublicbedsare beds insidepublichospitalsringfencedforprivately answer private hospitalsonpublichospitallands? question now approaching 80yearsofage. overtook theEUaverage forthefirsttimeanditis decade. In2003, average lifeexpectancy inIreland expectancy hasbeenrisingsteadily over thepast statistic –ourhealthhasnever beenbetter. Ourlife negative. But–judging bythemostimportanthealth Much publiccommentaboutour healthsystemis Life inyears expectancy q&a Source: World HealthOrganisation(January 2007)

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11 2005 “There is no point in developing a successful Ireland at the expense of our natural environment. The PDs won’t let that happen. Your prosperity and environmental protection can go hand-in-hand. Doing the right thing for future generations does not mean putting on the brakes. It means man- aging our economic success to provide the resources needed to be world leaders in environmental protection.”

Progressive Democrats proposals to protect the environment

1 Raise the energy efficiency of all new homes Protecting Our Environment and commercial buildings.

2 Introduce “hands-off” zoning by local authorities Climate change is the greatest environmental problem facing us and our future for all sports, recreational and education-related generations. Poor economies cause much greater environmental damage than stronger lands to protect our urban “green lungs”. economies. Those who argue that we must reduce economic growth for the sake of the environment are wrong. 3 Phase out inefficient, incandescent light bulbs.

We believe that only a high-performance The PDs will ensure that our Kyoto 4 Ensure peat-fired electricity stations use 30% economy will generate the resources to target for 2012 is fully met, and that we renewable material by 2015. successfully address the question of are in a position to contribute fully to environmental sustainability. The right meeting the EU target of at least a 20% 5 Use every appropriate tax, excise relief and political leadership – PD leadership – reduction in emissions below 1990 financial incentive to make Ireland a world leader can deliver continued economic levels by 2020. This will mean: in renewable energy crop production and use. success AND achieve world-best • Ensuring that 30% of electricity is standards in terms of emissions generated from renewable sources 6 Invest €13 billion promoting a switch from control, biofuel production and use, by 2015, and 33% by 2020. private to public transport. and energy conservation. • Maximising the development, production and use of biomass 7 Ensure petrol and diesel have on average a 5.75% At the heart of the Progressive and biofuels. biofuel mix by 2009. Democrats approach is the • Promoting efficient energy use commitment to establish a separate and energy conservation across 8 Ensure all new buses in the public fleet use a Department of Environment and the economy. biofuel blend of at least 30%. Energy to drive a national programme • Making Ireland a world leader in across government. This will ensure terms of the development and use 9 Replace the car tax system with one based on Ireland reduces its pollution and of renewable energy technologies. fuel efficiency. emissions in line with our international • Establishing an independent obligations, secures energy supply and Commission for Sustainable 10 Establish a National Waste Management Agency promotes maximum use of sustainable Development. and a dedicated Water and Sewerage Services energy sources. Office in the EPA.

PAGE 12 | WWW.PROGRESSIVEDEMOCRATS.IE Supporting Rural Life

“Thankfully, people in rural Ireland nowadays have the choice to work off-farm if they wish. But for those who do want to farm for a living, we must do everything we can to ensure they are able to do so. The PDs will do what it takes.”

Recycling rates The PDs proposals include:

• Support the right of rural dwellers to build in their local area. 35% recycle • Support agricultural education and training. 65% other • Fund measures to attract young and trained people into farming.

• Invest in measures to facilitate the voluntary early Did you know? retirement of older farmers and farm workers to create opportunities for younger farmers. Ireland hit its national recycling rate target of 35% • Ensure that adequate establishment grants are case study in 2006 – an amazing 7 years paid to farmers to plant willow and elephant ahead of the 2013 target date. grass to make certain that sufficient biomass When we set the target in becomes available. Paul is a fitter with Banagher Concrete in Co. Offaly 1998, we were recycling less and he hopes necessary action on the environment than 10% of municipal waste. • Start a new Anti-Social Isolation Scheme will be taken without threatening everything we have “ONE-2-ONE”, a community-based scheme in achieved. “Nothing is worth risking Ireland’s environ- We know we can do more, which neighbours will become the outside link ment but the government must get the balance right. and the Progressive with the world for people who might otherwise be Democrats are the Party Fifteen years ago, lads my age were emigrating to find isolated geographically or socially. with the know-how. work. Now I’m one of 250 people employed here in • Invest €90 million in rural transport schemes. Offaly, prefabricating motorways and other major In the next government, infrastructural projects. I don’t think it would just be we will oblige all large • Reduce the administrative burden faced by farmers my job at risk if we called a halt to roads projects or supermarket and retail chains by applying a “one-stop-shop” concept to the other important factors in our economic success. It to set aside space in their Departmental inspections. could be jobs in all sectors of the economy. I say ‘yes’ stores to allow customers to to the environment, but ‘yes’ to economic progress dispose of packaging before • Continue to fully protect the live export trade, they leave the store. too. I’ll be giving my vote to the party that will put which offers competition in the marketplace for neither of these at risk, not to a party with a narrow Irish farmers. focus that could do more harm than good.”

DON’ T THROW IT ALL AWAY | PAGE 13 “Ireland’s amazing economic trans- formation has meant a 17% increase in the population of our country over the past ten years – now over 4.2 million people. By 2021 our population may well exceed 5 million people.

Ireland is moving from a low base towards world-class transport system provision. The PDs have the right plans to meet the incredible demands on our transport infrastructure.”

Progressive Democrats proposals to develop Ireland’s transport systems:

1 Fully implement Transport 21 and 10 Build the Atlantic Corridor rail and Transport and the new National Development Plan road links. (2007-2013). Infrastructure 11 Enhance and extend luas to 2 Introduce additional buses, new Cherrywood, Lucan and Citywest. The Progressive Democrats in government over the past bus priority measures and new decade put in place policies to deliver increasing prosperity ‘park and ride’ sites. 12 Build a new light rail system in Cork. to the people through economic growth. We need better 3 Introduce a fully integrated, transport infrastructure to serve our existing needs and to customer-friendly smart card 13 Progress commuter rail for facilitate further growth. ticketing system in the Greater Limerick, and laser Dublin area. (Limerick And Shannon That means more rail, more and better roads, Express Rail) project. more buses and more ‘park and ride’ facilities. We are 4 Invest €90 million in rural committed to every necessary measure to keep transport schemes. 14 Extend overall capacity at Ireland moving and to keep Ireland prosperous. All of Dublin Airport to cater for this must happen in an environment of increasing 5 Implement our Access All Stations 30 million passengers. safety and sustainability. policy for rail users. 15 Ensure the independence of Cork The Progressive Democrats believe we must end not 6 Build more infrastructure to allow and Shannon airports. only Ireland’s infrastructure deficit, but create a safer commuting by bicycle and platform for balanced regional growth throughout on foot. 16 Make road safety training a the island and a better quality of life for everyone. In mandatory element of the school particular, we are concerned that the regions should 7 Complete a European-standard curriculum. not fall behind. Quality living requires the highest motorway and road system. standards of infrastructure across the State, with 17 Advance the Cork Docklands feasible measures to provide some counter-balance to 8 Build a new outer orbital route development. the expanding Greater Dublin area. around Dublin linking the M7, M4, M3, M2 and M1. 18 Create a major international air-sea freight hub on the 9 Develop metro North and West Shannon estuary. in Dublin.

PAGE 14 | WWW.PROGRESSIVEDEMOCRATS.IE PDs Infrastructure Blueprint

Not just efficient travel, SAFE travel The number of fatalities and injuries on our roads is one of the single greatest areas of concern for the Progressive Democrats. In our manifesto, we detail our plans to work with and support the Road Safety Authority to prioritise road safety measures across all relevant government departments and agencies, with actions to be taken in four specific areas: education, enforcement, engineering A New Heart for Dublin. We plan to relocate cultural, commercial and housing, as well as a port and evaluation. Please see the industrial activities of Dublin Port to Bremore for cruise and passenger ferries – creating our full manifesto for more in north Co. Dublin, and to redevelop the port A New Heart for Dublin. (www.newheartfordublin.ie ). information. site for a high quality mixed use development of

DON’ T THROW IT ALL AWAY | PAGE 15 “Ireland’s education system has done an excellent job in educating our people and in providing a strong foundation for our recent economic growth. Irish students are performing commendably in international comparisons, thanks to the great facilities and dedicated people in our education system. Because of our success, we can now do more to fur- ther develop our schools and colleges.” Progressive Democrats plans for education:

1 Invest over €5 billion in schools needs process. Evaluate possible Educating infrastructure, schools role for the National Treatment development, and information and Purchase Fund. for Success communications technology. 8 Evaluate available approaches to 2 Introduce strict enforceable address special needs to ensure The Progressive Democrats will make sure communities conditions in planning permission Irish schools promote methods have modern and well-staffed schools. to guarantee that large new that best suit the child and developments must include reflect best international research We will strengthen the management capabilities of school facilities. and practice. schools and promote the strongest child-protection measures. It is our intention to prioritise schools in 3 Reform the teacher allocation 9 Reform the out-of-date and areas of disadvantage, students with special system to reflect both current and inadequate school bus transport needs, and promote the successful integration of projected pupil numbers in order catchment area structure. foreign students. In conjunction with all of this, we to reduce class sizes. will invest €2 billion to ensure greater equity of access 10 Provide 600 additional teachers for to higher education, provide massively increased 4 Pursue a target of 25 children maxi- language support in the education resources to third-level institutions, double the mum per class in national schools. sector by 2009. output of fourth-level graduates, and encourage greater commercialisation of academic research. 5 Increasing the capitation paid to 11 Make grinds and revision materials all primary schools, including available free of charge on the Gaelscoileanna and Educate Internet for all subjects on the Together, to the levels paid to Leaving Certificate syllabus. We are proud of progress to date on promoting secondary schools. equality in Irish society, but know that this work 12 Support a university for the south is never finished. If we are part of the next 6 Introduce a formal framework of east with campuses at Waterford, government, we will continue to promote gender equality, support, training and assistance for Wexford, Kilkenny and Carlow. and vigorously pursue policies that tackle negative school boards of management. attitudes and actions regarding ageing and disability. 13 Undertake a root-and-branch We will support and fund initiatives under the National 7 Focus investment on speeding up review of the third-level grants Women’s Strategy, continue to provide funding to tackle the assessment and resource system to ensure a fair, unified and the problem of domestic violence and “equality proof” allocation elements of the special simplified system. government policy.

PAGE 16 | WWW.PROGRESSIVEDEMOCRATS.IE “In 2007, over €216m is being provided for arts and cultural projects in Ireland. The Progressive Democrats have delivered unprecedented levels of funding and support for arts, culture and the Irish language. If we are returned to government, we will continue to show how much we cherish our unique culture by building on our achievements. It’s not just about preservation, it’s about pride.”

PD plans for arts, culture and the Irish language:

1 Invest over €1 billion in Ireland’s cultural Cherishing our Culture infrastructure and the Irish language. and Language 2 Provide the widest possible range of services to parents who wish to raise their children through Irish. The Progressive Democrats know how special and important

Ireland’s cultural heritage is to our people. Indeed, these 3 Continue to develop high-quality broadcast distinctive qualities are recognised all over the globe. services through Irish.

We are determined to do even more to support capital 4 Provide special support for the Gaeltacht as an infrastructure for our national cultural institutions Irish-speaking area. and to develop the private sector cultural industry with financial support. We have, and will continue to 5 Further develop all-Irish secondary education. fund projects that improve the cultural infrastructure in Ireland. 6 Ensure that the National Collections are housed and displayed in modern facilities. Creideann muid go bhfuil Most of us don’t realise it, but almost 1.6 million tábhacht ar leith ag an nGaeilge do mhuintir, do people in the Republic of Ireland can speak Irish. 7 Support positive educational and outreach shochaí agus do chultúr na Perhaps as importantly, 92% of people surveyed feel cultural programmes. hÉireann. Tacaíonn muid go that promoting the Irish language is important to the láidir le Ráiteas i Leith na country, to themselves personally, or to both. The 8 Fund a new National Concert Hall and a new Gaeilge 2006 a foilsíodh le Progressive Democrats firmly share that view. Over National Theatre. gairid. the past decade, we have proven and affirmed our Tá an Ghaeilge sainiúil don tír support for the development and preservation of the 9 Develop cultural facilities across the country, seo mar theanga labhartha Irish language and the Gaeltacht. by exploiting the potential for sharing by pobail agus dá bhrí sin tá sí Dublin-based institutions of national resources. ríthábhachtach d’fhéiniúlacht We fully support the recently published Statement mhuintir na hÉireann agus . As a spoken community don oidhreacht dhomhanda. On The Irish Language 2006 language, Irish is unique to this country and is, therefore, of crucial importance to the identity of the Irish people and to world heritage.

DON’ T THROW IT ALL AWAY | PAGE 17 Our Candidates

Walter Lacey Murt Collins John Minihan Mary Harney Tom Morrissey Keith Redmond Carlow Kilkenny Clare Cork South Central Dublin Mid West Dublin North Dublin North East T (059) 914 3274 T (065) 905 1156 T (021) 429 4897 T (01) 635 4148 T (01) 807 5511 T (086) 699 2689

Liz O’Donnell Ben Doyle Frank McNamara Michael McDowell Mags Murray Fiona O’Malley Dublin South Dublin South Central Dublin South Central Dublin South East Dublin West Dun Laoghaire T (01) 618 4684 T (085) 103 5398 T (085) 126 9441 (01) 498 8084 T (01) 820 2218 T (01) 618 3373

Ciaran Cannon Noel Grealish Donal Lyons Thomas Welby Jeff Aherne Jane Mullins Galway East Galway West Galway West Galway West Kildare North Kildare South T (091) 847 668 T (091) 764 807 T (091) 525 522 T (091) 552 748 T (087) 246 7678 T (087) 316 6088

Tom Parlon Tim O’Malley Michael Brennan Mae Sexton Sirena Campbell Tony Sheary Laois Offaly Limerick East Limerick West Longford Westmeath Meath East Tipperary North T (057) 912 3737 T (061) 308 540 T (061) 396 408 T (043) 41142 T (041) 982 9058 T (085) 139 0339

To contact us please email [email protected]

Peader O’Donnell Richie Molloy Colm O’Gorman Tipperary South Tipperary South Wexford T (062) 33072 T (086) 196 7482 T (053) 948 4541

PAGE 18 | WWW.PROGRESSIVEDEMOCRATS.IE Full manifesto available at www.progressivedemocrats.ie

What have the PDs ever done for me? Policies championed and delivered by the Party in government include:

Y Cutting the Standard Income Tax rate Y Garda numbers increased to from 26% to 20% and the Top Tax 14,000; Garda Reserve established, rate from 48% to 41%. and ASBOs introduced to combat ……………………………………………………… vandalism. Y Over one third of workforce now out ……………………………………………………… of the tax net completely. Y Criminal Law updated to ensure ……………………………………………………… repeat offenders will now face heavy Y Low taxes have unleashed enterprise, additional sentences. resulting in virtual full employment ……………………………………………………… and an end to enforced emigration. Y Mary Harney was country’s first ……………………………………………………… Minister for Environmental Protection Y Top 1% of income earners now pay and banished Dublin’s killer smog; 20% of the total Income Tax bill. other cities later followed suit. ……………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………… Y National Minimum Wage established Y First hospital hygiene audits to by Mary Harney. combat MRSA. ……………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………… Y Old Age Pension increased above Y 50% increase in health services staff €200 per week. since 1997. ……………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………… Y National Treatment Purchase Fund Y Biggest increase in Medical Card established for everyone waiting over eligibility limit in 30 years. 3 months for elective operations; over ……………………………………………………… 50,000 people treated to date. Y Taxi market freed up; taxi numbers ……………………………………………………… now up more than five-fold. Y Personal Injuries Assessment Board ……………………………………………………… established, and insurance premiums Y Insisted on the full delivery of the cut by 45% as a result. Good Friday Agreement, and stood ……………………………………………………… firm in the face of IRA refusal to Y Established the Environmental decommission weapons and to Protection Agency (EPA). abandon crime. For more information, to join Progressive Democrats Full manifesto available at us, to get on the e-mail list or 25 South Frederick Street www.progressivedemocrats.ie to contact a candidate please Dublin 2 call (01) 679 4399. Ireland