Fianna fail and the Progressive Democrats, in a joint statement last night, listed the following eight "Priorities for Government".
CUTTING CRIME, TACKLING DRUGS
A Fianna Fail-Progressive Democrat government will make war on crime and drug-dealing a top priority. The policy of zero tolerance will be implemented.
SUSTAINING ECONOMIC GROWTH
A Fianna Fail-Progressive Democrat government will provide tighter economic management through control of public spending, and the elimination of borrowing so that Ireland can thrive as a member of European Monetary Union, and can sustain its high level of job creation.
CUTTING TAXES
A Fianna Fail-Progressive Democrat government will ease the burden of tax on PAYE workers through substantial reductions in both the standard and top rates of tax, and a widening of the standard band to include 80 per cent of taxpayers. Clear evidence of our commitment to radical tax reform will be seen in our first Budget in November.
CREATING AN INCLUSIVE AND CARING SOCIETY
A Fianna Fail-Progressive Democrat government will ensure that the marginalised in our society have access to new job and educational opportunities, and to a better quality of health care. There will be a focus on particular pockets of poverty, with an extension of the policy approach first adopted in PESP in 1991 in co-operation with the social partners.
RESTORING PEACE
The first aim of a Fianna Fail-Progressive Democrat government will be to secure a new and lasting IRA ceasefire and to bring peace to this island permanently. It will also facilitate the holding of inclusive all-party talks leading to a comprehensive political settlement.
PUBLIC SECTOR EMPLOYMENT
Fianna Fail and the Progressive Democrats believe that, in a growing economy with a growing population, the demand for services will continue to increase. Continued vigilance will be necessary to ensure maximum efficiency.
There will be no redundancies in the public service and 25,000 will not lose their jobs under a Fianna Fail-Progressive Democrat government.
A SUSTAINABLE ENVIRONMENT
A Fianna Fail-Progressive Democrat government will rigorously enforce the laws relating to the protection of the environment; and will seek to achieve the highest possible environmental standards in all forms of economic activity.
EDUCATION AND RESEARCH
For a Fianna Fail-Progressive Democrat government, investment in education, particularly at primary level, will be one of the most important means of tackling disadvantage. It will seek to significantly reduce the number of people leaving our schools educationally disadvantaged.
There will be a greater involvement in high-quality research to keep us to the forefront of technological development.