posted on Feb, 27 2011 @ 01:42 PM
On the International level we really do not have much control over what happens its mostly up to the EU (thanks Lisbon Treaty). The Fine Gael party
have promised to renegotiate the terms of the IMF/EU bailout but as with all political promises that dosen't really mean much...
At the national level peoples main concern are the austerity measures, unemployment and rising levels of emigration (I personally have seen a lot of
my friends graduate college and immediately leave for better prospects on recieving degrees).
Fine Gael have proposed a 5 point recovery plan.
- Politics- Basically reducing the amount of ministers, reducing salaries of politicians and public sector workers. A referendum on the abolition of
the Seanad (Senate in Gaeilge).
- Smaller better government- Reducing the size of the public sector.
- Completely new health system- Universal health care system based on the Dutch model.
- Fixing the deficit- Cutting waste instead of raising taxes.
- Jobs- investment in new energy, water and telecoms infrastructure. changing the welfare system to encourage job ceation.
Labour's plan
Renegotiating the EU/IMF bailout - Bondholders will have to share the debt, reducing intrest rate.
Investment - agri-food industry, tourism, renewable energy, creative industries, clean technology, and retail.
Creation of an Investment bank to create jobs and provide infrastructure.
Political Reform- Abolition of the Seanad, creation of a new constitution, expansion of freedom of information, legal protection for
whistleblowers.
Taxes- No one earning under E100,000 will have increase in tax, a 50/50 balance between cuts and raising taxes.
Labour also propose a referendum on gay marriage.
Fianna Fail Manifesto
Sinn Fein's plan
Hope that clears things up a bit.
NOTE: I provided more information on Fine Gael and Labour's plans as they are most likely to enter into a government together.