Politics

FF pledges to cut USC and abolish Irish Water

Martin rejects claim that manifesto repeating mistakes of past

Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin launching the Fianna Fáil election manifesto entitled “An Ireland for all” in Dublin. Photograph: Gareth Chaney/Collins
Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin launching the Fianna Fáil election manifesto entitled “An Ireland for all” in Dublin. Photograph: Gareth Chaney/Collins
Sarah Bardon
Fri Feb 12 2016 - 01:00

Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin has denied his party is repeating the mistakes of the past by making a series of promises ahead of the election.

Mr Martin unveiled details of his party’s manifesto, outlining that it would abolish the universal social charge for low- and middle-income earners, scrap water charges and increase child benefit and pension payments.

The party is also promising to cut hospital waiting list times, increase Garda numbers and reduce class sizes.

Mr Martin denied the manifesto was a throwback to the past and said the proposals were responsible and realistic.

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“We have taken our blame and we acknowledged that we got things wrong in relation to spending too much and reducing the tax too low. We have learned the lessons from that,” he said.

“That is why we have a very prudent and affordable plan that is weighted on ensuring we have quality public services over the next couple of years and that we have a better sense of decency in our society.”

Health service

In the area of health, the party is pledging to recruit another 500 consultants, 4,000 more nurses, 50 dental surgeons and increase GP numbers by 250 over the next five years.

There is no mention in the party’s manifesto of any review of the Eighth Amendment to the Constitution.

Mr Martin said he was instinctively anti-abortion but felt there can be legislative change allowing for terminations in the cases of fatal foetal abnormalities.

“It is not going to be resolved by a simple election slogan – ‘Repeal the Eighth’ – without any idea of what will replace it,” he said.

Mr Martin said every member of Fianna Fáil would be allowed a free vote on any legislation on abortion.

New agency

The manifesto is also proposing to abolish Irish Water and create a new slimmed down agency, named the National Water Directorate. The body, which would be tasked with developing a nationwide investment programme, would cost €16.2 million a year.

Fianna Fáil would also scrap water charges for the next five years. Mr Martin said nobody should pay until the quality of the water had improved and would not make any decision on the need for the levies until 2021.

Garda numbers would also be increased to 15,000, while mandatory three-year sentences for burglary would be introduced.

Asked about future coalition options, Mr Martin refused to rule out entering Government with Fine Gael.

He said he was not contemplating the return of Enda Kenny as taoiseach and said voters were telling him they wanted Fianna Fáil to remove him from office.