FINE GAEL MANIFESTO 2007 - click here to download

KEY THEMES AND HIGHLIGHTS

Fine Gael will set new priorities to deliver public services and a quality of life to
match our strong economy. In government, Fine Gael will:

1. Create health services that work, ensuring that cost and capacity don't prevent people from getting treatment that is high quality, timely and close to home. That means:
- Planned expansion of vital capacity (2,300 Acute Beds, 1,500 Convalescence).
- Free Health Insurance for every child under 16.
- Free GP visits for every child under 5.
- Confront the rise of suicide.
- Extend medical cards to 100,000 more families.
- Clean hospitals.
- Reform to ensure money follows patient.

2. Make our communities safer by focusing on victims' rights and making life a lot tougher for criminals. That means:
- 2,000 more Gardaí on our streets.
- Consistent sentences from judges.
- Bail harder to get and electronic tagging if needed.
- No prison remission without earning it.
- Best practice policing - when and where they're needed.
- New rights for victims

3. Spend taxpayers' money well, getting maximum value and sacking any Minister who spends carelessly. That means:
- Put Minister's reputation on the line.
- Link money to performance and strategic change.
- Public project scrutiny at critical gateways.
- Every agency openly accountable.

4. Support families as they deal with challenges of modern Ireland and transform education by incentivising innovation in schools to meet pupils' needs and focusing on outcomes. That means:
- Targeted tax relief for single income family/carers.
- Reformed stamp duty to help first time buyers and growing families.
- Improved support for those caring for the elderly.
- Extend medical cards to 100,000 more families.
- Confront the rise of suicide.
- Increase the Old Age Pension to €300.
- Support for one year pre-school.
- Ensure educational support for children with disabilities and special needs.
- School Excellence Fund to achieve pupil goals, more teacher s, improving literacy and numeracy.
- Upgrade science and technology at every level.

5. Build an environmentally-sustainable society, with renewable energy, transport, green housing and reduce our impact on global warming. That means:
- Mandatory blends of bio fuels in all petrol and diesel.
- Reduced taxes on bio fuel and lower emission cars.
- Public facilities must match new housing.
- Increased investment in public transport.
- Help householders achieve best energy standards in all new and refurbished homes.
- Prioritise energy investment to achieve more renewables.
- Leading by example by reducing every Government agency's carbon footprint by 2% each year.

6. Lower the cost of living on working families, making childcare, housing, and healthcare more affordable. That means:
- Curb public price increase to inflation or lower.
- Reform regulators who pass on prices too easily.
- Improve competition in key sectors.
- Cut stamp duty.
- Support pre school education and childcare.
- Free medical insurance for all under 16.
- Free GP visits for children under 5.
- Sell State land where appropriate for the provision of more social and affordable housing.

7. Cut taxes for all taxpayers, with a focus on relief for families and first-time homebuyers, and ensure Ireland's strong economy and jobs are not put at risk by complacency or lack of competitiveness.. That means:
- Cut 20% tax rate to 18%.
- More support for single income families and home carers.
- Inflation proof bands and credits to protect from stealth tax.
- Cut stamp duty to help first time buyers and growing families.
- Fast track infrastructural priorities.
- Cut regulatory burden by 25%.
- Upskill the workforce through greater provision of third level education and on-the-job training.
- Invest in science and research in a way that supports new and existing industries.
- Extend broadband throughout the country and build a Next Generation network by 2012.

8. Manage Ireland's immigration system in a way that is good for immigrants and good for the Irish by establishing clear rights and responsibilities for immigrants. That means:
- Appoint a Minister for Immigration Affairs.
- Immigrants should be free from discrimination and have their contribution to the country recognised.
- Ensure that Irish laws are understood by and adhered to by immigrants.
- People who come to this country to commit serious crime are not welcome and will be dealt with severely.
- We must protect Irish jobs and the rights of those who come to work here.

9. Protect rural Ireland to ensure vibrant communities, a modern and sustainable farming industry and an equitable distribution of wealth throughout the country. That means:
- Help farmers to grow and develop their enterpris es, through targeted State supports; investment in food research and development and enhanced training and education.
- Promote alternative locally-based employment for rural dwellers, particularly part-time farmers.
- Lead the sustainable development of the maritime sector, maximising the quality of life in coastal regions.
- Promote viable rural transport links, sustainable housing in areas of rural depopulation and a better distribution of national development through the National Spatial Strategy.

10. Promote peace on the island, work with our European partners and strengthen our international reputation. That means:
- Build on the historic agreement reached in Northern Ireland and do everything possible to realise the full potential of a lasting settlement.
- Support Ireland's role in the European Union while promoting reform of decision making structures and greater dialogue between the EU and its citizens.
- Combat terrorism and ext remism by working with our international partners and promoting human rights.
- Meet our international environmental commitments and work against climate change.