FG says ardfheis will not be about 'empty promises'

Fine Gael deputy leader Richard Bruton has pledged that his party will not be making elaborate promises at its ardfheis, which begins in Dublin tonight.

He added that, unlike Fianna Fáil, the party would not reverse its stated position over the weekend.

Mr Bruton said that, in contrast to the main Government party, Fine Gael would flesh out the detail of some of its already announced policies in areas like tax, health and crime, but the ardfheis would not be turned into an election manifesto launch.

Speaking at a press conference along with the Fine Gael health spokesman Liam Twomey, Mr Bruton said Fine Gael would focus in the election on bridging the gap between the two Irelands, the one with the strong economy and the other with failing public services.

"We have to avoid another five years of broken promises and missed opportunities after the next election," said Mr Bruton, who added that the ardfheis would focus on three key issues.

These would be delivering on a range of improved public services for those who need them most; setting out a clear agenda for health reform; and protecting the progress made by the economy over the last 15 years and avoiding another five years of wasteful spending, broken promises and missed opportunities.

"This ardfheis will not be about listing off empty promises that will not be delivered. This ardfheis will be about real reforms, real ideas to change how we provide services and about setting out an agenda for a better Ireland."

Dr Twomey said people had waited too long for promises in the health area to be delivered.

"Now is the time for a new government with new ideas on how to solve the problems of our health services. With targeted measures on children's health, preventative health and how our hospitals operate, I believe Fine Gael has a reform agenda on health that will make a real difference to the public. I look forward to setting out that agenda over the course of the weekend."