Fianna Fáil has committed to retaining the derogation on the nitrates directive if it is back in government.
Meanwhile, Aontú said it would set up a new border agency to deal with increased levels of immigration while the Social Democrats attacked Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael for acting as though the election was sewn up.
Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín has also proposed an Irish sea border at the airports and ferry ports in Northern Ireland “so that the island can be treated as a unit in terms of the asylum process.”
He said it would mean when people land on the island of Ireland, “we have a situation whereby, whether in Belfast or Dublin, that’s where their asylum process starts.”
Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin courted the farming vote this morning promising increased investment of €280 million per year
But he also pledged that retaining the derogation on the nitrates directive would be a party priority.
Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns insisted her party wants to go into government and would insist on a Cabinet minister for disability.
She also said it was astounding to see Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael already talk about what ministries they would like in any coalition.
In its manifesto, the Green Party promised to invest an additional €10 billion to speed up the delivery of major public transport projects worth €7bn coming from the Apple tax windfall.
People Before Profit-Solidarity has pledged to abolish the means test on carers and disability allowances and increase all weekly disability payments to €350 per week.
At the publication of his party’s manifesto, Green Party leader Roderic O’Gorman pledged to use €7bn of the Apple tax money and €3bn from other sources to ensure that work begins on major transport projects, such as MetroLink, DART+, the Luas extension, and rail projects in Cork, Limerick, Galway and Waterford.
He also said €105m can be raised by taxing business class flights.
The @greenparty_ie leader @rodericogorman warns the electorate against returning a FF/FG majority government saying: Vote to send the party that delivers – the Green Party – back into the [Cabinet] room. @rtenews pic.twitter.com/2gG0737xqm
— Paul Cunningham (@RTENewsPaulC) November 12, 2024
Mr O’Gorman said: “Public transport has been the poor relation of transport provision for too long. Only the Green Party will place that relentless focus on ensuring those big projects will get over the line and make people’s lives easier.”
The party also outlined its plans to introduce a new ‘Climate Ticket’ that will offer further savings to regular commuters as well as taking a number of measures to improve the reliability of bus and rail services.
There is a focus in the manifesto too around continuing to roll out a new ‘Local Link’ bus route every week in rural Ireland and more late-night and 24/7 services in urban areas.
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Mr O’Gorman warned the electorate against returning a Fianna Fáil-Fine Gael majority government saying: “Vote to send the party that delivers – the Green Party – back into the [Cabinet] room.”
He also said that there should be gender balance at the Cabinet, adding that the party had two men and two women at Cabinet for the past four years.
Elsewhere, the Fine Gael leader has said farmers should not vote for Independent candidates if they do not want the next government to be made up of a three party coalition.
Speaking as he arrived at a meeting of the Irish Farmers’ Association National Council, Simon Harris said the vote for Independents in the last election resulted in Fine Gael needing to be part of a three way coalition.
Ahead of a question and answers session with the IFA, he said he wanted his party to reconnect and renew its relationship with farmers across Ireland.
Fine Gael is proposing significant changes to inheritance tax following on from changes in Budget 2025 recently.
It is expected the party will increase tax-free inheritance thresholds to €500,000 for children, €75,000 for siblings, and €50,000 for others.
The Labour Party will outline how it would use the windfall funds from the Apple Tax case.
It said it would direct €7bn towards housing, including €6bn to set up a State Construction Company, with a further €1bn allocated for water infrastructure and servicing of land.
There would be €6bn for climate measures made up of €2.5bn for a National Retrofitting Plan along with energy efficiency upgrades in the public and community sector, SMEs, apartments, and Approved Housing Bodies.
Up to €2.5bn would be spent on major public transport projects and balanced regional development along with €1bn for the State to take direct equity stakes in offshore wind developments.
The party is also planning to spend €1bn on a Sláintecare Transition Fund and €500m would be dedicated to support the rollout of digital health records in the new regional health areas.
Sinn Féin is focusing on housing and how it plans to bring home ownership back into the reach of working people.
Sinn Féin has held an event to promote its policy to deliver social housing.
Party leader Mary Lou McDonald said her party was the one to “renew hope” for people trying to get an affordable home.
Asked if the Sinn Féin’s housing policy was a red-line issue in possible future coalition talks, she said it was at the top of the party’s priority list.
Sinn Féin Spokesperson on Housing Eoin Ó Broin said Sinn the full housing policy over the next five years will be outlined in its manifesto.
He promised to deliver 370,000 public and private homes by the end of the decade.
Mr Ó Broin said he was “embarrassed” by plans outlined by Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil.
Additional reporting Paul Cunningham, Tommy Meskill, Fergal O’Brien
