Reaction:Fine Gael and Labour have been accused by Minister for Finance Brian Cowen of fudging their proposals for reform of stamp duty and demonstrating their lack of economic competence in the process.
Responding to the launching of the Fine Gael/Labour economic plan, Mr Cowen said: "The Opposition have today proven that they lack the ability to manage Ireland's economy.
"On stamp duty, Fine Gael's daft proposal to introduce change over three years has been ditched in favour of a pure fudge which promises up to five, rather than three, years of uncertainty.
"After months of negotiations, they can't give a clear answer on stamp duty.
"Their position will create uncertainty, unsettle the market and threaten the jobs in our construction sector and the value of everyone's home. This is plain irresponsible."
Mr Cowen claimed that, in macro-economic terms, the two parties were "all over the place". "Their policies will return us to deficit territory within two years and have the real debt burden increasing by the end of the next government's term of office.
"You can't pass a bus shelter in the country without seeing a Fine Gael poster promising 2,000 more gardaí, a key part of Enda Kenny's so-called solemn contract with the people. However, their economic framework only provides for 1,000 extra gardaí."
Sinn Féin MEP Mary Lou McDonald said: "By proposing massive income-tax cuts while at the same time promising increased and improved public services, Fine Gael and Labour are attempting to pull the wool over the eyes of the electorate."
Ms McDonald added that Sinn Féin did not support Fine Gael and Labour's proposals to abolish stamp duty, "as developers would inevitably cash in on the potential by increasing house prices and house-buyers would be no better off".
