Election 2024: Six things we learned on the campaign trail today
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A major clash has broken out between Sinn Féin and Fine Gael on the economy, as the latter has accused the main opposition party of attempting to “raid” Ireland’s public finances.
Fine Gael has unveiled a new ad that says Sinn Féin is planning to break into the “State piggy bank” to lift €16bn from its coffers.
The party produced a roving screen with the attack ad, with Fine Gael staffers confirming that it travelled across Dublin City on Wednesday afternoon.
Sinn Féin’s Pearse Doherty described the ad as “pathetic” and accused Fine Gael of lying to the electorate.
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The Social Democrats has pledged to create a €10m fund to bring Palestinian children to Ireland if it is part of the next government.
As part of the party's 'positive neutrality' policy, it will establish a fund to enable children from Palestine for education, medical treatment, and cultural exchanges.
The scheme would also see an exchange programme launched for Palestinian public servants to be mentored in Ireland as part of a Palestinian state-building initiative.
In September, Stephen Donnelly got approval to bring children from Gaza to Ireland to undergo medical treatment.
The first phase of this initiative planned for 30 children, who suffer from various conditions, to be flown to Ireland by the EU before the end of the year.
In its policy document, Social Democrats said it would work closely with international institutions including the EU, UN, and others to enhance the humanitarian assistance provided to the people of Palestine.
The party said it would enact the Occupied Territories Bill and the Illegal Israeli Settlements Bill as well as impose diplomatic and travel sanctions on Israeli government officials while advocating at EU level for further and more widespread sanctions.
A "pro-active inspection system" is required to avoid an abuse of landing rights at Irish airports and all military aircraft requesting overflight of Irish airspace should be compatible with our policy of military neutrality, the party stated.
Ireland must not be used as a hub by State or non-State actors for the passage of weapons, explosive material or ammunition into war zones or regions of conflict, the policy states.
"Since the foundation of the State, this country has always engaged in a positive and committed manner in global affairs while remaining proudly militarily neutral," said Gary Gannon, the Social Democrats' foreign affairs spokesperson.
Any major change to Ireland's current form of neutrality should be tested first via a Citizens' Assembly and potentially by a referendum, the policy states.
Taoiseach Simon Harris has indicated that he is willing to go on a canvas with embattled Fine Gael candidate John McGahon, while asking for Louth voters to support him.
Mr Harris said he believes there does not need to be an internal Fine Gael process to discipline Mr McGahon after he was found 65% civilly liable.
Mr Harris said that the €39,000 fine imposed on Mr McGahon was a disciplinary action.
“Unlike other parties, I believe that actually the courts of this country trump internal processes,” Mr Harris said.
The Green Party has proposed phasing out homework for children in primary school as leisure time is as important to their development as school work.
Party leader Roderic O'Gorman cited research in France which he said showed the ability of a child to be able to play and relax is as important as the kind of "strict learning" they do during the school day.
Children learn through play just as much as they learn through copying out their tables or similar work, he said.
"It is really, really important that children enjoy leisure time and the pressure that is put on children, particularly children who aren't as academic, the pressure that is put on them and their parents when they go home to complete homework is not fair," Mr O'Gorman said.
In secondary school, it is fair to expect homework to be given but younger children need down time after a long day in school, he said.
Launching his party's plan to attract and retain gardaí, Labour TD Alan Kelly said young gardaí are turning down overtime in order to keep their access to rent supplement.
Mr Kelly said the issue is "very real" and that morale among gardaí is "the lowest in history" and the situation facing rank-and-file gardaí has "never been as bad."
Mr Kelly said his party would spend €75m renovating and expanding the Templemore training college and would increase the allowance given to trainee gardaí to match the salary of a qualified guard.
In a statement Archbishop of Dublin and Primate of Ireland Dermot Farrell said that voting is a "Christian duty".
He said: "First of all, voting does make a difference. Every vote counts. Your vote counts.
"Imagine living in a society with no elections, no democratic accountability, no contest of ideas, programmes, or vision. History shows that such societies are run by the powerful for their own benefit, while freedom of belief and expression are restricted, or even suppressed. Voting matters because it is how we hold our leaders to account and mandate what we believe to be important."