Labour Party Election Manifesto 2011 - Jobs
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Transcript of Labour Party Election Manifesto 2011 - Jobs
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Labour’s manifesto 2011www.labour.ie/manifesto
JOBs
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01 The firsT sTeps
• RenegotiatetheEU/IMFDealtore-focusongrowthandjobcreation
• BankBondholdersshouldshareinbanklosses
• RenegotiatetheinterestrateontheEUloans
• Renegotiatethefiscalstrategytopromotegrowthandfairness
• EnsureanadequateflowofcredittotheIrisheconomy
Labour’s manifesto 2011
www.labour.ie/manifesto
Finance and Banking: A Better Deal for IrelandTime for changeIrelandfacesaprofoundeconomiccrisis,butwhilewehaveseriousproblems,wealsohavemajoreconomicadvantages.Withtherightpoliciestheeconomycancreatejobsandreturnourcountrytoprosperity.
Jobs
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LabourdoesnotacceptthattheEU/IMFdealprovidesaworkablebasisforrestoringtheIrisheconomy.LabouringovernmentwillengagewiththeEUandtheIMFtorenegotiatethedeal,soastoachievefairandrealistictermsforIrelandandfortheIrishpeople.
resTore The Banking sysTemTheEU/IMFdealprovidesfundingtosupportaprocessofdownsizingandrestructuringintheIrishbankingsystem,soastorestoreinternationalconfidenceandensurethatthesystemcanfunditself–i.e.thatthebankswillbeabletofunctionwithoutsupportfromtheECB.Labourwillapplythefollowingprinciplestotherestructuringanddown-sizingofthebanks:
• Labourbelievesthatbankbondholdersshouldshareinbanklosses.Depositorsmustbefullyprotected.Labourwillseektoensurethatburdensharingwithbondholdersispartofarenegotiateddeal.
• Labourwillinsistthatanadequatepoolofcreditisavailabletofundsmallandmedium-sizedbusinessesintherealeconomyduringthere-structuringanddown-sizingprogramme.
• Labourwillensurethat,attheendoftheprocess,astrongandrobustbankingsystemexiststhatwillservetheneedsoftherealIrisheconomy.The
bankswillhavetoprovidedetailedplansonhowthiswillbeachieved,includingthenumberofSMElenderstobeinvolvedinachievingthetargets,howmanynewSMEclientswillabankachieve,andhowmuchwillbefocusedontoexistingclients.
• LabourwillseektoagreemoreeffectivealternativestothetransferoffurtherportfoliosofsmallerpropertyloanstoNAMA(NAMA2),giventhedifficultiesthiswillcreateinthemanagementofsuchloan-books.
• Labourisopposedtofurtherfire-salesofbankassetswhichimposegreaterlossesthannecessary.WedonotsupporttheNAMA3assetwarehousingproposalasasolutionthatcanbeimplementedinatimelymanner.Labourwillexplorealloptionstominimisethecostofre-structuring,includingassetinsurancemodels,andtoincreasetheavailabilityofaffordablefundingtothebankingsystemintheinterimperiodtoprovidetherealeconomywithcredit.
• Labourwillseektodisposeofthepublicstakesinthebanksassoonaspossibleatthebestpossiblereturntothetaxpayer.Labourbelievesthatarestructuredbankingsystemshouldincludeaspecialiststate-owned,butstrictlyindependent,investmentbank,focusedonfundinginvestmenttosupportthestrategicneedsoftheIrisheconomy,includingprojectfinanceforinfrastructureandgrowthcapitalforfirms.SuchabankwouldbecapitalisedfromthefundsremainingintheNPRFandshouldformanon-goingpartofthefinancialsysteminIreland’sopenandinnovativeeconomy.
Labour will insist that an adequate pool of credit is available to fund small and medium-sized businesses
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• Labourwillinsistonre-structuringofbankboards,toensurereplacementofdirectorswhopresidedoverfailedlendingpractices.Labourwillensurethattheregulatorhassufficientpowersofpre-approvalofbankdirectorsandseniorexecutives.
sTrong, coherenT decision-makingEffectivedecisionmakinginthisprocessdemandsbetterdecision-makingstructures,incontrasttothefragmentedandsometimescontradictoryapproachthathasbeeninevidenceduringthecrisistodate.Labourwillcreateastrongintegrateddecision-makingstructure,whichwhilerespectingthestatutoryrolesofthedifferentagencies,willincorporateallrelevantagencies,witheffectiveinclusionofappropriateadvice,ledbyseniorMinisters.
geTTing value for The Taxpayer from namaLabourhasbeenconsistentlyopposedtotheNAMAproject,becauseitpresentedanunacceptablyhighandirreversiblerisktothetaxpayer.LabouringovernmentwillseektocurtailanyfurthertransfersofassetstoNAMA,andwillseekalternativesolutionstothetransferoflargeportfoliosofsmallerpropertyloans.
EffectiveoperationsanddecisionmakingbyNAMAarecriticaltothefutureoftheIrisheconomy,inrespectbothofcurtailinglossestotheState,andinensuringthatthepropertymarketinIrelandfunctionsnormally.ThepricesatwhichassetsaresoldbyNAMAiscritical.LabourwillalsoinsistonthehigheststandardsoftransparencyintheoperationofNAMA,andwillworktolimitthecostsassociatedwiththeagency
suchasinrespectofprofessionalfees.LabourwillinsistonthefullestrecoveryoflossesfromthedeveloperswhoseloanshavebeentransferredtoNAMAandwhodonotmeettheirobligations.
never againIreland’sbankingcrisisclearlydemonstrateshowFiannaFáil’sphilosophyoffree-for-all,light-touchregulation,withoutproperchecksandbalancesriskssocialandeconomiccatastrophe.
LabourwillrestorethesoundnessandcredibilityoftheIrishbankingsectorsothatitcanagainplayitsvaluablesocialandeconomicrole–asafehavenforsavings,afacilitatorofpayments,aresponsiblelenderforproductiveinvestmentandimportantfamilypurchases.
Inthefuture,regulationmustbebasednotonlyonsoundprinciples,butonclear,enforceablerulesbackedupbystringentoversightandsanctionswherenecessary.TheCentralBankshouldbechargedwithmonitoringbalancesheetgrowthatfinancialinstitutionsunderitsjurisdiction,andinthefinancialsystemasawhole,andonthesustainabilityofthefundingmix,reportingannuallytotheMinisterforFinanceandrecommendingremedialactionifnecessary.
Oncethebanksareputonasoundfooting,effortsshouldbemadetoaccelerateamovetotheBaselIII
regimewithmoreonerouscapitalandreportingrequirements.
Longbeforethemostrecentbankingcrisis,Irishbanksestablishedatrackrecordonover-chargingtheircustomers.Irishconsumersneedareinforcedwatchdogwithrealteethandthewilltotakeonthebankers.FiannaFáilhavehivedofftheconsumerprotectionfunctionoftheFinancialRegulatortotheNationalConsumerAgency.Itisessentialthatitsquasi-judicialroleintermsofinvestigatingwrongdoingsandimposingsanctionsisnotwatereddown.
EnhancedcoordinationisneededbetweentheFinancialServicesOmbudsman,theOfficeoftheDirectorofCorporateEnforcement,theNationalConsumerAgency,andtheHeadofFinancialRegulationattheCentralBank.Thereshouldbeaone-stop-shopportalforconsumerswithissueswithfinancialserviceprovidersratherthanhavingtonavigatethesemyriadbodies.
paying for The crisisOvertime,thebankingsectormustpayafaircontributiontocleaningupthemessforwhichitisresponsible.WhentheIrishbankingsystemhasbeenputbackonitsfeet,fullyrecapitalised,andabletoaccessinterbankmarkets,Labourwillintroduceabanklevybasedonthesizeofabank’sliabilities(otherthanshareholders’capital).
Labour will insist on the fullest recovery of losses from the developers whose loans have been transferred to NAMA
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special resoluTion regime for failed BanksBecauseoftheimportantrolethatbanksplayinthewidereconomy,theycannotjustbewoundupinthesamewayasotherbusinesseswhentheyarebankrupt.Thisshouldnotmean,however,thattaxpayersareonthehookforbanks’debts.IrelandshouldworkwithourEuropeanPartnerstodevelopacomprehensivenewSpecialResolutionRegimethatensuresprotectionofbanks’depositors,butallowsforappropriateburdensharingwithothercreditors.
an end To Bonus culTureBonusesinthefinancialsectorhavegrownoutofallproportionwiththeirsocialandeconomicvalueandhaveencouragedrisk-takingthatisultimatelybornebythetaxpayer.Allremunerationschemesatbankssubjecttostatesupportshouldundergoafundamentalreviewtoensureanalignmentofinterestbetweenbanks,theirstaffandthetaxpayerswhohavebornesuchaheavyburdentokeepthemopen.
regional enTerprise fundsOpportunitiesshouldbeexplored(forinstancethroughJEREMIE,runbytheEIF)forthelaunchofaRegionalInvestmentFundbyre-focusingsomeofourremainingstructuralfundswhichhaveyettobedrawndownfromBrussels.Thiswouldbearevolvingfundwherethemoneycanbere-invested.geTTing crediT flowing To small & family BusinessesAcrossIreland,viable,profitable,well-runbusinessesaregoingtothewallbecausetheycan’taccesscredit.LabourwillintroduceanSMEWorkingCapitalGuaranteeSchemewhichwouldensurethatviablesmallandfamilybusinessescangettheloanstheyneed.
a sTrong muTual and crediT union secTorLabouriscommittedtomaintainingamutualandcommunitycomponentinourfinancialsystem.Ireland’screditunionshavearichtraditionandatrackrecordofprovidingloansincommunitiesandworkplacesacrossthecountry.ThecreditunionmovementhasanimportantroletoplayinIreland’sfuturefinancialarchitectureandthemovementdeservessupportinitsendeavourstoincreasinglymoderniseandprofessionalisethesector.Thiswillinvolveafairandimpartialreviewofcreditunionregulation.
inquiry inTo The BlankeT Bank guaranTeeTheblanketbankguaranteewasthemostdisastrouspolicydecisioninthehistoryofthestate.LabourwillinsistthatafullandproperinvestigationintothisdecisionandtheeventsleadinguptoitiscompletedandthattherearepublichearingsbytherelevantOireachtasCommittee.
addressing financial exclusionLabouriscommittedtotacklingtheproblemoffinancialexclusionthroughmeasuressuchastheintroductionofbasicbankaccounts.WealsobelievethatanewpartnershipshouldbesoughttoprovidebankingservicesthroughthePostOfficeNetwork.
The fuTure of The ifscLaboursupportsthefuturedevelopmentoftheIFSCasasourceoffuturegrowthinhighvalueemployment,subjecttoappropriateregulation,includingthedevelopmentofGreenfinancialservicesandIslamicbanking.
Labour will insist on a full and proper investigation into the blanket bank guarantee
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Jobs
02 The firsT sTeps
• Extendthedeadlineforachievingthe3%ofGDPdeficittargetto2016
• Implementanetadjustmentof€7.1billionintheperiod2012-2014
• Afairandbalancedapproachtoachievingsavings
• Anewstrategicapproachtoachievebetterpublicspending
• EstablishaStrategicInvestmentBanktoinvestintheIrisheconomyusingresourcesintheNationalPensionReserveFund
Fiscal Stability, Investment And CompetitivenessTime for changeLabourbelievesthatthegrowthforecastsintheFour-YearPlanarebroadlyachievable,providedthattherightpoliciesareputinplace.Irelandcanachievehighexportgrowth,andseeareturntogrowthinthemorejob-intensivedomesticeconomy.
TheFiscalStrategysetoutintheEU/IMFdeal,however,involvesexcessiveausterity,whichwillputgrowthandjobcreationatrisk.Labourisproposingastrategythatwillmaximiseinvestmentandgrowth.
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thereforeseektorenegotiatethefiscalstrategyintheIMF/EUdeal.
laBour’s prioriTies for The fiscal year 2011Inrespectofthefiscalyear2011,LabourwillnegotiatewiththeEUandtheIMFtoensurethatadequateresourcesareavailablein2011tofundkeyjobsstrategiesandreformsinthehealthsector.Webelievethesefundsshouldbeprovidedfromcashbalances,andnotthroughfurtherexpenditurecuts.
ItisclearthattheUniversalSocialChargewasnotproperlythoughtthrough,andthatitishavingadramaticimpactontheincomesofmanyfamilies.Thechargehasbeenintroducedatatimewhenothertaxesareincreasing,aswellashouseholdbillslikeVHIfees.Thisiscausingparticularhardshiptosomefamilies,includingworkingwidowsandelderlypeople.LabourwillconductadetailedreviewoftheimpactoftheUSCtoidentifythefamiliesthathavebeenhardesthit,andwillreformthetaxaccordingly.Wewillfundthesechangesbyextendingthe10%rateofUSConincomesover€100,000toincludeemployees’incomesover€100,000,andbychangestocapitaltaxes.
fiscal sTraTegy for 2012 – 2014Labourproposesanetfiscaladjustmentin2012-2014of€7.1billion,soastoallowadequateroomforjobsandrecovery.Labourwillcompletethereductioninthedeficittobelow3%ofGDPbynolaterthan2016.
Labourbelievesthatthecompositionoftheadjustmentshouldbefairerandmorebalanced,includingfairertaxationandon-goinginvestmentineducationandothervitalservices,whichareessentialtosocialsolidarityandtolong-termeconomicgrowth.
ensuring fiscal sTaBiliTy and growThAsaresultofthemismanagementoftheeconomybyFiannaFáil,IrelandisdependentontheIMF/EUloanfacilitytofundthefiscaldeficit.Labourhasconsistentlysupportedtheobjectiveofrestoringfiscalstability,inlinewithourobligationsasamemberoftheEurozone,andasanecessaryrequirementforeconomicstabilityandlong-rungrowth.Labourdoesnotaccept,however,thatthefiscalstrategydevisedbythediscreditedFiannaFáilgovernmentandincludedintheEU/IMFdealprovidesabasisforeconomicrecoveryorformaximisinglong-termgrowth.Inparticular,theexcessiveausterityintheFiannaFáilplan,endorsedbyFineGael,posesanunacceptablerisktoeconomicrecovery.
LabourbelievesthattheaverageGDPgrowthratesetoutinthefour-yearplanisachievable,providedthatpro-growthpoliciesareadopted.Theseincludeactiontoenhancecompetitiveness,toensureadequateflowsofcredit,topromoteinvestmentandanappropriatefiscalstrategy.TheFiannaFáil/FineGaelausterityprogrammedoesnotallowsufficientroomforeconomicgrowthandemploymentcreation.Thescaleandnatureofthecutsbeingproposedalsoposeriskstomediumandlong-termeconomicgrowthandtosocialcohesion.Labourwill
Labour does not accept that the fiscal strategy devised by the discredited Fianna Fáil government provides a basis for economic recovery
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new prioriTies in capiTal expendiTureIrelandneedstotakeanewapproachtopublicandprivatecapitalinvestmentthatreflectsthenewrealitiesoftheeconomyandtheconstraintsonpublicresources,whilealsoincorporatingthenewfundingthatwillbeavailablethroughLabour’sStrategicInvestmentBank.
LabouringovernmentwillcommissionanewstudyofIreland’sinvestmentneeds(similartothe2006ESRIstudy),anddrawupaNationalDevelopmentPlancoveringtheseven-yearperiod2012-2019.
Intheinitialyears,whenresourceswillbemostheavilyconstrained,Labourwillprioritiseinvestmentineducation,inhealth,inscienceandtechnologyandinjob-creation.
Labourwillinsistthatmajorcapitalprojectsaresubjectedtopropercost-benefitanalysisandevaluation,improvingfutureproductivityandgrowthprospects,andthatthevalue-for-moneyobtainedissignificantlyenhancedcomparedtothemostrecentperiod.
Labour’sstrategyistosupportthedevelopmentofaninvestmenteconomy,whilemaximisingthereturntothepublicfrommajorprogrammesofinvestment.
a comprehensive spending review and wasTe audiTGiventheneedforfiscalconsolidation,itwillbenecessarytocurtailcurrentexpenditureintheimmediatefuture.Whilethiswillinvolvedifficultdecisions,itwillalsoaffordtheopportunitytoreformthepublicservicetoenhanceefficiencyandeliminatewaste.Ratherthanadoptingapiece-meal,cheese-paringapproachLabourwillinsistonaproperlyplannedmulti-annualexpenditurestrategy.
Tothisend,LabourwillconductaComprehensiveSpendingReviewandWasteAuditthatwillexamineallareasofpublicexpenditure.Thiswillbemarkedlydifferenttothe‘BordSnip’exercise,initspurposeandinthewayitisconducted.
TheComprehensiveSpendingReviewandWasteAuditwillbeamajorexerciseinstrategicbudgetingandwillinvolveafundamentalassessmentofallspendingprogrammes,examiningtheirobjectivesandhowthoseobjectivesareachieved.Thepurposeofstrategicbudgetingistofindthemostcosteffectivewaystoprovideservicestothepublicandtoimprovefuturegrowthandproductivity.ItwilltakeaccountofthechangingneedsofmodernIreland,andwillbeconductedona‘wholeofgovernment’basis.
Learningfromtheexperienceinothercountries,thespendingreviewwillbeled,notbyexternalconsultants,butbygovernmentMinistersandtheSecretaryGeneralofeachDepartment,co-ordinatedfromthecentreofgovernment.Itwilladoptathree-yeartimehorizon,resultinginaplanforpublicexpenditurefortheperiod2012-2014.ThisexerciseshouldbeanimmediatepriorityforgovernmentandwillbeconcludedintimetofeedintoBudget2012.
Aspartofthisexercise,Labourwillincludea‘surrenderandre-grant’clause,wherebyDepartmentsthatproposesavingsinoneprogrammewouldbeabletoproposere-cyclingofsomeofthosesavingsintootherpriorityareas,subjecttoa‘reducingceiling’onaggregatebudgets.The‘reducingceiling’meansthatnon-paybudgetswillberequiredtobereducedbyatleast2%perannumoverthreeyearsonanaggregatebasis–thepercentagesavingsachievedwillvaryacrossdepartmentsinlinewithpolicypriorities.Labourwillalsoseektoenhancethelocalflexibility
availabletopublicservicemanagersinhowtheydeploytheirbudgetstoachievemaximumefficiencyandservicequality.
culling quangosNon-CommercialSemi-StateBodiesorquangoshavemushroomedinrecentyears.Labourisconcernedaboutthevalue-for-moneybeingachievedbythesebodiesandbythelackofaccountabilityassociatedwiththem.TheComprehensiveSpendingReviewandWasteAuditwillincludeafullevaluationofallquangos,witheachbodybeingrequiredtojustifyitscontinuedexistenceoutsideofitsparentdepartment.RemainingquangoswillberequiredtobeproperlyaccountabletotheOireachtas.Labourisproposingaseriesofamalgamationsofquangosrelatingtoutilitiesregulation,equality,industrialdevelopmentandbroadcastingthatwillbothsavemoneyandachievegreaterpolicycoherence.
reforming social proTecTionInordertoclosethefiscaldeficit,itisvitalthatwereducethecostofFiannaFáil’sfailuretoaddresstheproblemofunemployment.Labourisproposingaseriesofstrategiestotacklethegrowingproblemoflong-termunemployment,andindoingsotoreducetheassociatedexpendituresonsocialwelfare.Wewillalsolaunchanall-outcampaigntotackletheproblemofwelfarefraud.
leadership from The poliTical sysTemAtatimewhensavingsarebeingsoughtacrossthepublicservice,thepoliticalsystemmustalsoshowleadership.LabourisproposingacaponallMinisterialandpublicsectorsalaries,correspondingreductionsinthesalariesofMinistersofState,
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reductionsinthenumberofpaidchairsofOireachtasCommitteesandabolitionoftheOireachtasallowancepaidtoMinisterswhohaveconstituencyofficesstaffedbycivilservants.LabourisproposingreforminthetransportarrangementsforMinistersincludingareductioninthenumberofGardadrivers.
ThearrangementsforMinisterialpensionsandseverancepackageshaverightlybeenthecauseofpublicoutrage.Labourwillensurethatinfuturethesearrangementsaresetbyanindependentperson,suchastheComptrollerandAuditorGeneral.
reducing The puBlic service pay BillAspartoftheprocessoffiscalconsolidation,itisnecessarytoreducethepublicservicepaybill.Ourproposalsarebasedonareductionof18,000inpublicservicenumbersintheperiod2011-2014.Publicemploymentceilingswillbere-assessedduringtheComprehensiveSpendingReviewandWasteAudittoensurethatthemaximumsavingsarebeingachievedandthatfrontlineservicesarebeingprotected.
LabourwillworktheCrokeParkAgreement.ItisessentialthattheagreementshouldresultinsavingstotheExchequerandthatthepaceofimplementationoftheAgreementbeaccelerated.
sTraTegic expendiTure prioriTiesInordertoachieverecoveryandreform,itwillbenecessarytore-allocateresourcestoareasofstrategicpriority.Thismeansachievingmoresavingsinordertore-investinreformanddevelopment.Labour’sadjustmentproposalsprovideforresourcestofunda€500millionannualjobspackage.AspartofLabour’shealthstrategy,thecostofprovidinghealthcareinIrelandwillbedrivendown,with€489millionbeingprovidedtoensureamajorshifttowardsprimarycare.Additionalresourceswillbeprovidedinkeyareasofeducationandcriminaljusticetodrivereform.
fair TaxaTion 2012-2014LabourhaslongarguedforafairandbalancedtaxstructureinIrelandandwewillseektorenegotiatetheEU/IMFdealtoachievethisobjective.Itisanimportantprincipleoftaxationthatthosewhohavethemost,mustcontributethemost,andthatrevenue-raisingmustbeginwithreform,ratherthanconstantlydelayingitasFiannaFáilhavedone.
Labourdoesnotsupportfurtherimpositionsofincometaxonpeopleonmiddleandmodestincomesintheperiod2012-2014.Weproposenoincreasesinincometaxforpeopleearninglessthan€100,000.Wewillextendthe10%USCratetoemployeeincomesover€100,000.
Labourwillinsertanewprovisioninthetaxcodetoensurethathighearners(taxunitswithincomesover€250,000)mustcomplywithaMinimumEffectiveTaxRatetobesetat30%.Thiswillimposeafairrestrictiononthecapacityofhighearnerstoreducetheirtaxbillsthroughtaxplanning.
Labouringovernmentintroducedthe12.5%corporationprofitstaxrate,andwewillinsistthatitremainsinplace.Reformstotheregimeforoff-settingcorporatelossesagainstCorporationTaxcanbeadoptedtoincreasetheyieldfromthetaxwithoutaffectingIreland’sattractivenessasalocationforinwardinvestment.
Labourwillprioritisetheeliminationofunnecessarytaxexpenditures,aswehavebeenproposingformanyyears.Theseincludethelegacypropertyreliefs,andphasingdownoftheamountofinterestthatcanbeoffsetagainstrentalincomefortaxpurposesto25%.
Labourbelievesthatthetotalquantumoftaxreliefcurrentlyinplaceforpensionsisnolongersupportable,andthatthedistributionofreliefatpresentisnotfairorequitable.Labourwilltargetafurtherreductionof€500millioninthetotalamountofrelief,butratherthansimplystandardisingtherateofrelief,Labourfavoursanapproachthatretainsstrongincentivesforpeopletoinvestinpensionswhilealsomakingthesystemfairer.Thiswillincludecappingthetaxreliefonpensioncontributionsfrombothemployersandemployees,reducingthemaximumtax-freelumpsum,reducingthemaximumpensionfundandincludingpensiontaxreliefintheminimumeffectivetaxrate.
LabourfavourstheintroductionofnewprogressivestructuresforCapitalTaxes.InrespectofCapitalGainsTaxandCapitalAcquisitionsTax,thefirst€50,000overthe
Labour will conduct a Comprehensive Spending Review and Waste Audit that will examine all areas of public expenditure
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thresholdwillbetaxedat30%andthebalanceat35%.Thesemeasureswillraise€236millioninafullyear.ThechangeinCapitalAcquisitionsTaxwillbeintroducedin2011tofinancechangesintheUniversalSocialCharge.
Labourbelievesthatappropriatetaxruleshavearoletoplayinprotectingourenvironment.Labourwillincreasethecarbontaxto€25pertonne,withanoffsetof€40milliontofundfuelpovertymeasures.LaboursupportsabroadlybasedtaxonpackagingasproposedbyComharthatwillraise€60million.
Labourisproposinga1%increaseinthestandardrateofVATthatwillraise€310millioninafullyear.Labour’sproposalsincludemodestincreasesinexciseonwineandcigarettes.LabourwillprioritiseactiontoreducelossestotheExchequerfromsmugglingthroughstrongerrevenueenforcement.Labouracceptsthatitwillbenecessarytointroduceasitevaluecharge,inordertopreventhighertaxesonwork.TheGovernmenthasnot,however,carriedoutsufficientworktoallowsuchachargetobeintroducedintheshort-term.Furtherdetailedstudywillberequiredtodeviseafairbasisforsuchachargethattakesaccountofthevalueofpropertyindifferentregions,theneedtoexemptsomecategoriesofhomeowners,andtheneedtotakeaccountofthosewhohaverecentlypaidlargesumsinstampdutyorwhoareinnegativeequity.Anychargeofthissort,therefore,cannotbesetinplacebefore2014.Accordingly,LabourwillpublishaGreenPaperbytheendof2012onhowthechargecanbestructuredinafairandefficientmanner.Asaninterimmeasure,Labourwillincreasethesecondhomeslevyby€300toyield€95million.
Labourwillinsistonactionbeingtakentodealwiththescandaloftaxexiles,andwewillfurtherstrengthenrevenueactiontoreducetax-evasion.
invesTing in JoB creaTionThroughoutthecrisis,Labourhasbeenclearthatcutsalonewillnotsolvetheproblem.Irelandneedsastrategyforjobsandgrowth,andthelackofactiononjobshasmadethecrisisinthepublicfinancesandinthebanksevenworse.Whiledifficultdecisionsareneeded,wealsoneedastrategytogrowourwayoutofourpredicament.
Despitethefinancialcrisisathomeandabroad,wearelivinginaperiodofopportunityfortheIrisheconomy.Intheadvancedeconomies,economicgrowthisnowincreasinglydrivenbywhatisknownasthe‘knowledgeeconomy’,withnewtechnologiesdrivingeconomicgrowthbothinknowledge-intensivesectors,andmorewidelyacrossthewholeeconomy.Atthesametime,theglobaltradingsystemisexpanding,andtheemergingeconomiessuchasChinaandIndiapresentenormousopportunitiesforIrishcompanies.ExportgrowthinIrelandispickingup,andcompetitivenesshasimproved.Whatweneednowisacoherentstrategytotakeadvantageoftheopportunitiesthatareavailabletous.
laBour’s JoBs fundLabour’sfiscalstrategyprovidesfora€500millionJobsFundtofinanceaseriesofpro-jobsinitiativesthatinvolveelementsofcurrentexpenditure.ThefundwouldbeadministeredbyaCabinetsub-committee.ProposalsfromDepartments,agenciesandotherbodies,includingtheprivatesector,wouldbeconsideredonthebasisoftheircontributiontoanoveralljobsstrategyandwouldbefundedaccordingly.Theagenciesthusfundedwouldnotbeimmunefrommakingefficienciesintheirbudgets–fundingfromtheJobsFundwouldbedependentondemonstratedadditionalitytoexistingoperations.
sTraTegic invesTmenTToachievegrowth,theFiannaFáilcasinoeconomymustbereplacedwithbytheinvestmenteconomy.TheIrishbankingsystemhasnotprovidedthekindofinvestmentfinancethatisrequiredtomeetIreland’sinvestmentneeds.Tofillthegap,LabourisproposingtheestablishmentofaStrategicInvestmentBank.
TheStrategicInvestmentBankwillbeestablishedintwophases.ItwillbesetupinitiallyasavehicletoinvesttheremainingfundsintheNationalPensionReserveFundinprojectsthatwillenhanceinfrastructureandboostgrowthintheIrisheconomy.Itwillbefully
Labour will take action to deal with the scandal of tax exiles, and will further strengthen revenue action to reduce tax evasion
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independentandwillinvestonacommercialbasis.
Overtime,andwhenmarketconditionsnormalise,thisvehiclewillbedevelopedintoafunctioningbankthattakesdepositsandraiseslongtermfinancing.LabourbelievesthattheStrategicInvestmentBankshouldbeanessentialcomponentofthere-structuredbankingsystem.Thebankwouldbesetupasanindependentcommercialoperation,using€2billionoftheNationalPensionReserveFundascapital.Itwouldoperateonastrictarms-lengthbasisfromgovernment.IrishcitizensandtheIrishDiasporawouldbeencouragedtomakedepositsinthebank,andtopurchaseCitizen’sBonds,whichwouldbeawaytoinvestintherecoveryoftheIrisheconomy,andwouldbeofdifferentmaturities.Thebankwouldattractfundingfromanumberofsources,includingconsumerdepositsandwholesalemarkets(oncemarketconditionsnormalise).
TheStrategicInvestmentBankwouldbeakeylendertoSMEsandinnovativefirms.TheEnterpriseAgencieswoulddeveloprelationshipswiththeStrategicInvestmentBanktofacilitateintroductionsofhigh-potentialfirms.Investmentdecisions,however,wouldremaintheexclusivepreserveofthebank.TheStrategicInvestmentBankwouldalsosupportinvestmentinlargeinfrastructureprojects.
improving compeTiTivenessCompetitivenesshasimprovedduringthepastthreeyears,butweneedtoensurethat,asgrowthreturns,thesegainsarenoteroded.Inparticular,itisimportantthatcostsintheprotectedsectorsoftheeconomydonotunderminethecapacityofthetradedsectortocompete.Tomaintainandenhancecompetitiveness,Labourisproposingthefollowingmeasures:
WagePolicyLabourbelievesthatnegotiatedwagepoliciescanpotentiallybeanimportanttoolofmacroeconomicpolicyinasmallopeneconomy.Wewillexploreoptionsfordevelopingsuchanagreement,whichmayincludenationaland/orsectoralwagenorms.Labourbelievesthatinvestmentandjobcreationcanbeenhancedthroughstructuredmultiannualagreementsthatincorporatewagerestraint.
Wagecompetitivenessshouldnotbeconfusedwithalowwageagenda.LabourisopposedtothereductionintheminimumwageagreedbyFiannaFáilwiththeEuropeanUnionandtheIMFandwewillreverseit.Thenationalminimumwageaffectsfewerthan3%oftheworkforce,whoareonthelowestrungofthelabourforceladder.LabourwillreformtheJLCsystem,butthiscannotbeusedasthebasistounderminetherightsandconditionsofemploymentofvulnerableworkers.
CompetitionPolicyLabourwillsupportrobustcompetitionpolicyandenforcement.Wesupportstructuralreformintheprofessionstodrivedownthecostbaseforthetradedsector.
UtilitiesRegulationLabourwillenhancethequalityandeffectivenessofutilitiesregulationinIreland.Wefavouraproperlyplannedconsolidationofthenumberofregulators,tomakemoreeffectiveuseofregulatoryskills.LabourwillretaintheCompetitionAuthorityasaseparateentity.
Labour believes that the Strategic Investment Bank should be an essential component of the re-structured banking system
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Labour’s manifesto 2011
www.labour.ie/manifesto
Jobs
The firsT sTeps
• UseLabour’ss500millionjobsfundtogrowemploymentinsectorswhereIrelandalreadyhasacompetitiveadvantage
• MakethestrategicdecisiontotargetthedevelopmentofnewmarketsforIrelandintheemergingeconomies
• Appointatradeczartoco-ordinateactionacrossgovernmentinopeningthesefastgrowingmarkets
• Plugthegapinournationalsystemofinnovationbyinvestingtoturnnewscientificadvancesintojobs
• Createinnovationcentresfocusedoncommercialisationofresearch
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Enterprise and InnovationTime for changeToachieveeconomicgrowthandjobcreation,theIrisheconomymustshiftfromaproperty-basedeconomytoaknowledgeeconomy.Weneedtocarveoutnewmarkets,anddevelopnewproductstosellinthem.Irelandhasanopenandentrepreneurialeconomywithmultiplenaturalanddevelopedcompetitiveadvantages.
Weneedagovernmentthatwillhelpthateconomytogrowbydrivingtrade,innovationandproductivitygrowth.
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a new approach To enTerprise policyCompetitivenessandproductivitygainswhichgeneratedstrongexport-ledgrowthformedthebasisfortheCelticTigerfrom1994to2002.Weneedarenewalofthisstrategyinordertocreatethefoundationsforfutureeconomicandemploymentgrowth.Howeverthepreviousblueprintwillhavetochange.
Neweconomicrealities,theimperativetodecarboniseoureconomy,andtheneedtodevelopanewgenerationofexportchampionswillrequirearesetinourtradeandenterprisepolicy.Labourwillplaceamuchstrongeremphasisonthepromotionofservicesexports,includingsoftware,engineering,financialservices,educationandculture.
TosupportthedevelopmentofexportingSMEs,wewillseekreformofEUprocurementrulessothatagreaterportionofallpublicprocurementgoestosmallandmediumsizedenterprises.
WewillpromptlyimplementalltherecommendationsintheTradingandInvestingintheSmartEconomyReport.Inparticular,wewillestablishaTradeCounciltostrengthencooperationandcoordinationacrossallofthekeydepartmentsandStateagenciesinvolvedinthepromotionanddevelopmentoftradeandexports.MembershipoftheCouncil
willbedividedequallybetweengovernmentandprivatesectorrepresentativeswhohaveexperienceinestablishingandgrowingexport-orientedbusinessbothinIrelandandabroad.
WewillappointahighprofileTradeandEnterpriseczartoworkwithintandemwiththeTradeCouncil,whowillbeabletodrawonfulldiplomaticandcivilserviceresourcesandwhowillreportdirectlytotheMinisterforEnterpriseandtheTaoiseach.
AkeypillarofLabour’snewenterprisestrategywillbetopositionIrelandtodevelopbettertraderelationshipswiththerisingeconomiesofBrazil,Russia,India,andChina.
LabourwillestablishalocaltradeandinvestmentteamreportingtothelocalIrishAmbassadororHeadofMissionandtheMinisterforEnterpriseineachofthetargetemergingcountriesandotherprioritymarkets.Theseteamswillexecuteadetailedlocalmarketplan,withprogressagainsttargetsreviewedannually.
Athome,LabouringovernmentwilldrawontheeconomicstrengthsandconnectionsofIreland’simmigrantcommunitiesbyappointingarepresentativefromeachoftheBRICSandotherstrategicmarketsresidentinIrelandastradechampionsfortheirrespectivecountries,reportingtoboththeTradeCouncilandtheMinisterforEnterprise.TradechampionswillhaveamissionofpromotingtradetoandfromIrelandandwillbesupportedbytheDepartmentofEnterprise.
Labourwilltakeinitiativestodeepeneducationalcooperationwiththeemergingeconomies,financedfromLabour’sJobsFund.
Labour will establish a Trade Council to strengthen cooperation and coordination across key departments
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Labour’s manifesto 2011www.labour.ie/manifesto
an innovaTion sTraTegy agencyInnovationisthesinglemostimportantfactorinthetransitiontoasustainableinvestmenteconomy.WhileIrelandhasanumberofkeystrengthsinthisarea,suchashighqualityscientificresearchinstitutions,scientistsandengineers,ourinnovationsystemhasanumberofdeficiencies.Labour’splanforinnovationisdirectlyaimedataddressingtheseweaknesses,whilebuildingonourexistingstrengths.
LabourwillsubsumethecurrentactivitiesandfunctionsofForfas,theInnovationTaskforce,theAdvisoryCouncilforScience,TechnologyandInnovationandtheSustainableEnergyAuthorityintoanewly-establishedInnovationStrategyAgencyanindependentagencywithintheIDA/EnterpriseIrelandstructure,whoserolewillbetostimulatetechnology-enabledinnovationintheareaswhichofferthegreatestscopeforboostinggrowthandproductivity.
Labour’sInnovationStrategyAgencywillpromoteandsupportinvestmentintechnologyresearch,developmentandcommercialisationbeyondthebasicresearchsupportedbyScienceFoundationIreland,aswellasadvisinggovernmentonhowtoremovebarrierstoinnovationandacceleratetheexploitationofnewtechnologies.
ThemajorityofthemembersoftheboardoftheISAwillbedrawnfromindustryandfinancefrombothIrelandandabroadwithexperienceoftechnologychangeandinnovation.
TheInnovationStrategyAgencywillfocusitsworkbytargetingkeytechnologyareasandsectorswhereinnovationcanbeappliedincludingbutnotlimitedtohighvaluemanufacturing,advancedmaterials,nanotechnology,bioscience,electronics,photonicsandelectricalsystemsandinformationandcommunicationtechnology.
TheISAwillalsofocusontheapplicationoftechnologicalinnovationinestablishedsectorsoftheeconomylikeenergygenerationandsupply,transport,creativeindustries,high-valueservicesandarchitectureandconstructionbyidentifyingchallenges,establishingprioritiesanddevelopingstrategieswhichspecifythenecessaryactionstotransitiontoamoreinnovativeapproach.
TheISAwillpromoteIreland’sfullengagementwiththe‘InnovativeUnion’proposalsissuedbytheEuropeanCommissioninOctober2010asoneofthesevenflagshipinitiativesundertheEU2020Strategy,withthespecificaimofrefocusingR&Dandinnovationpolicyonmajorchallengesandatturninginventionsintoproducts.
Turning research inTo JoBsThereisacriticalgapbetweenthebasicresearchpromotedandfundedbyScienceFoundationIrelandandthirdlevelinstitutions,anditssubsequentdevelopmentintoacommercialopportunityforinvestors.Thisgapcanonlybeclosedbymakingnewtechnologiesinvestmentready.
TheInnovationStrategyAgencywillbetaskedwithclosingthisgapthroughtheestablishmentofanetworkofTechnologyResearchCentresfocusedonappliedtechnologicalresearchinspecificareas,tobelinkedtoappropriatehigher-educationinstitutions.Thecentreswillacceleratetheexploitationofnewtechnologiesbyprovidinginfrastructurethatbridgesthegapbetweenresearchandtechnologycommercialisation.
TheestablishmentofthesecentreswillbuildontheapproachalreadyadoptedwiththeTyndallCentreonICTandtheInternationalEnergyResearchCentre(IERC)inUCCwhere
government,industryandacademicspartnertofocusonappliedresearchthatwillleadtoconcreteresultsandcommercialapplications.
InordertopromoteIreland’sstronghistoricaltraditioninscienceandtechnologyforthenextgenerationofscientists,eachcentrewillbenamedafterarenownedIrishscientistsuchasRobertBoyle,ErnestWalton,JocelynBellBurnellorKathleenLonsdale.
Initiallythesecentreswillbefundedinathree-waysplitbetweentheISA,competitivegrants,andcontractswithprivatecompanies.Overtime,thecentreswillbeexpectedtosupplementtheircorefundingbygainingfurtherincomefrompublicandprivatesectorcontractresearch,andthroughthecommercialisationofintellectualproperty.
TheISAwillinitiallyestablishthreeadditionalcentresbuildingonTyndallandtheIERCfocusingonbiotechnology,nanotechnologyandhighvaluemanufacturing.Furthercentresfromanumberofotherareaswillbeselectedsubsequently.
TheInnovationResearchCentreswillalsobeinapositiontoplayaroleasanchortenantsinmorebroadly-basedScienceandTechnologyParksthatwillattractprivatefirmsinthespecificresearcharea.
secToral JoBs sTraTegiesAswellascreatingtheconditionsforinnovationandexport-ledgrowth,Labourisproposinganumberofsectoralstrategies,whichbuildonIreland’sexistingstrengths.Labour’sproposalsforgrowingemploymentintourism,thegreeneconomy,theagri-foodsectorandintheeducationsectorareoutlinedelsewhereinthismanifesto.Othersectorswithspecifictargetsinclude:
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Labour’splanforCreativeIndustries• EstablishcommonIP
agreementsacrossthedigitalmediasectorandthirdlevelinstitutions.
• SupportthedevelopmentofanInternationalContentServicesCentretomakeIrelandaworldleaderinthemanagementofintellectualproperty.
• MergethefunctionsofCultureIrelandandCulturalProjectsintotheArtsCouncil,whichwillbegivenanexpandedmandatetopromoteIrishartsabroad.
• ExtendtheR&DtaxcredittothegamesindustryinordertoattractgamedevelopersandgrowthegamesectorinIreland.
• EnsureIrelandfullyengagesinthedebatearisingfromtheforthcoming(2011)EuropeanCommissionCommunicationonCulturalandCreativeIndustries.ThisCommunicationshouldincludeproposalstopromotecreativestudies,attractinvestmentandprovidefundingforartists,andtoestablishnetworkswithbusinessesandimprovemobility.
Labour’splanforInternetservices&CloudComputing• ContinuetomarketIreland
asanEMEAheadquarterslocationforinternetservicescompanies.
• PursueanaggressivepolicyofattractinginternationaldatacentrestoIreland,leveragingtheappropriatenessofourclimateandenergyandcommunicationsinfrastructure.
• Establishanexpertgrouptoaddressnewsecurityandprivacyissuesarisingfromtheuseofcloudcomputingandreviewtheadequacyofcurrentlegislationandidentifywhatstepsneedtobetakentoensureasupportiveregulatoryenvironment.
• Introduceapolicythatallgovernmentdepartmentsandagencieswilladoptcloudbasedservicesiftheydemonstratevalueformoneyandareadequatelysecure.
• Activelyencouragenewbusinessesthatarecloud-focused.
• Reviewbroadbandpricingandpoliciesofcommercialandotherproviderstoensurethatanyobstaclestotheadoptionofcloudcomputingareremoved.
• InnovationStrategyAgencytocreateandfundaprogrammetoactivelyencouragetheuseofcloudcomputingthroughoutallsectors.
Labour’splantosustaintheretailsector
• EnacttheLabourParty’slegislationtoabolishupward-onlyrentreviewsforallcommercialleases,asamatterofurgentpriorityfortheDáil.
• Intheinterim,appointaCommercialRentsOmbudsmanwithsomepowerscurrentlyonlygrantedtoanExaminer.ThisOmbudsmanwouldhavethepowertoadjudicateonrentsthathavethepotentialtocauseabusinesstofail,withoutundertakingacostlycourtprocess.
• ReformtheJointLabourCommitteestructure,beginningwiththeappointmentofindependentchairpersonstotheJLCs.
• RetaintheexistingRetailPlanningGuidelinesandmaintaintheretailplanningcap.
• Encouragelocalauthoritiestointroducedifferentiated,time-limitedratestofacilitatenewbusinessstart-ups.
Labour’s Innovation Strategy Agency will promote & support investment in technology research, development & commercialisation
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supporT for smesThereareapproximately230,000SMEsoperatinginIreland,representingthebackboneoftheIrisheconomy.SMEsareconfrontedbyaseriesofobstacles,mostnotablyworkingcapital,butalsoaccesstoventurecapital,complicatedbureaucracy,andinsufficientresourcingofthepatentprocess.Labour’sbankingpolicyisfocusedonensuringanadequatesupplyofcapitalforSMEs,includingaworkingcapitalguaranteescheme,andgreateraccesstoventurecapitalthroughLabour’sStrategicInvestmentBank.TheInnovationStrategyAgencywillworktoup-gradethepatentprocess,whilethestreamliningofbureaucracywillbeaddressedonacross-departmentalbasis.
co-operaTivesCo-operatives,friendlysocietiesandmutualcompaniesarealegitimateandvaluedpartoftheLabourtradition.InIrelandtheco-operativemovementhasplayedahugelyimportantroleinkeyareasofeconomic,environmentalandsocialdevelopment.
However,incomparisontoothercountries,theroleoftheco-operativeandmutualcompanyinIrelandislimited.Inmanyothercountriesnewco-operativemodelsofenterprisehaveemergedandaremeetingvitalsocial,businessandenvironmentalneedsandcreatingworthwhilejobsinimportantareassuchashealthcare,transport,childcare,housing,energyandenergyefficiencyandenvironmentalprotection.
Labouringovernmentwillworktopromoteagreaterappreciationoftheco-operativemodelasadistinctformoforganisation,ensurealevelplayingfieldbetweenco-operativesandtheotherlegaloptionsforstructuringenterpriseactivities,andprovideaconduciveframeworkforthefullpotentialoftheco-operative
modeltoberealised,includinginareassuchaschildcare,education,housing,energyretrofitting,environmentalprotection,transportandhealthcare.
semi-sTaTe companiesLabouriscommittedtoconceptofpublicenterprise,andisdeterminedtoensurethatsemi-statecompaniesplayafullroleintherecoveryoftheIrisheconomy.Labourisopposedtoshort-termistprivatisationofkeystateassets,suchasCoillteortheenergynetworks.
Labour is committed to the concept of public enterprise, and is determined to ensure that semi-state companies play a full role in the recovery of the Irish economy
Jobs
Labour’s manifesto 2011
www.labour.ie/manifesto
The firsT sTeps
• AnewNationalEmploymentServicetoreplaceFÁS
• Amajorworkexperienceschemefor30,000recentgraduatesandapprentices
• 30,000neweducationandtrainingplacesforpeoplewhoareunemployed
• ReducedqualifyingperiodsforBacktoEducationAllowanceandBacktoWorkEnterpriseAllowancefortheperiodofthiseconomicemergency
• An18monthPRSIholidayforemployershiringnewemployeesofftheliveregister
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A New Deal for JobseekersTime for changeIrelandisfacingajobscrisis,thatrisksbecomingacrisisoflong-termunemployment.Labourseesforcedemigrationasastarkfailureofgovernment,notasolution.Businessasusualwillnotbeenoughtocopewiththeunemploymentchallengeahead.
Weneedtoreformoursocialprotectionsystemsothatitisthefirststeponapathbacktowork,educationortraining,notapovertytrap.
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laBour’s plan for an inTegraTed naTional employmenT serviceLabourwillreplaceFÁSwithanewNationalEmploymentServicetomeettheneedsofa21stcenturyworkforce.
Allemploymentandbenefitsupportservicesforpeopleofworkingagewillbeintegratedinasingledeliveryunit,aNationalEmploymentService,managedbytheDepartmentofSocialProtection.
Thisnewemploymentandbenefitsupportservicewouldabsorb:
• ThefunctionsoftheDepartmentofSocialProtectionrelatingtoassessmentanddeliveryofbenefitsforpeopleofworkingage.
• ThefunctionsoftheDepartmentofSocialProtectionrelatingtoCommunityEmploymentparticipants.
• TheadministrationoftheSupplementaryWelfareAllowance,currentlycarriedoutbytheHSE.
• TheEmploymentServicesunitofFÁS,whichprovidessupporttojobseekers.
• TheLocalEmploymentServiceNetwork.
Thisintegratedservicewouldprovidea‘onestopshop’forpeopleseekingtoestablishtheirbenefitentitlements;lookingforajob;andseekingadviceabouttheirtrainingoptions.Italsodecentralisestheadministrationofworking-agebenefits,whichwillinfuturebeassessedandmanagedlocally.
Thisservicewillofferusersahigherlevelofpersonalisedemploymentcounselling,withmorefrequentface-to-faceinterviews.Traininganddeploymentofstaffwillreflectthisfocus.Thoseontheliveregisterwhoareidentifiedasbeingmostatriskoflong-termunemploymentwillreceiveprioritytreatmentformoreintensivesupport.
Aspartofthesereforms,Labourwillalsodevelopaflagshipweb-basedadultcareerguidanceportal,whichwillprovideadultswithfreeadviceonhowtodeveloptheirskillsforwork.Thiswillbefundedthroughefficiencysavingsarisingfromthereformprocess.
Helpingpeoplemoveintoemployment,orintotrainingthatleadstosustainableemployment,willbetheprimaryfunctionoftheNationalEmploymentService.Itsperformancewillbemeasuredonthisbasis,andtheresultspublishedannually.
Labour will replace FÁS with a new National Employment Service to meet the needs of a 21st century workforce
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Labour’s manifesto 2011www.labour.ie/manifesto
60,000 new Training, educaTion and inTernship placesLabour’sJobsFundwillfund60,000newtraining,educationandinternshipplaces,tohelppeoplewhoarecurrentlyunemployedtodeveloptheirskills,andpositionthemselvesfornewjobopportunities.Labour’sinitiativeswillinclude:
• ‘BridgetheGAP’–aGraduateandApprenticeWorkPlacementScheme.Aweb-basedbrokerconnectsrecentgraduatesandapprenticeswithemployersofferingsix-monthinternships.Participatinginternswouldbepaidatthesingleperson’srateofJobseeker’sAllowanceforthedurationoftheplacement,plusamodestcost-of-workallowance.
• An‘EarnandLearn’schemethatenablespeopleon‘shorttime’tocombineashorterworkingweekwithtrainingoreducation.
• AreducedqualifyingperiodofthreemonthsfortheBacktoEducationandBacktoWorkEnterpriseAllowancetomakeiteasierforpeopletocomeoffthedoleandintoeducation,andgreateraccesstopostgraduatecoursesundertheBacktoEducationAllowance,fortheperiodofthiseconomicemergency.
• Atax-backschemetohelppeoplenoteligibleforothermeans-testedsupportsto
claimuptotwoyearsoftheirincometaxbacktofundfull-timestudyinanauthorisedinstitution.
• Literacyandbasicworkplaceskillstobeanationalpriority,withliteracytrainingincorporatedintoawidervarietyoffurthereducationandtraining.
• ‘SkillsExchanges’withinfurthereducationcolleges,libraries,InstitutesofTechnologyortrainingcentres,toenablethoseavailingoftraininginonefieldtousetheirpreviousprofessionalexperiencetohelptrainotherpeople.
• 30,000additionaltrainingplacesacrosstheentireeducationandtrainingsystem,distributedinlinewiththerecommendationsoftheExpertGrouponFutureSkillsNeedsontheskillrequirementsoftheIrishlabourforce.
encouraging employers To Take on new employeesLabourwillextendtheEmployerPRSIIncentiveScheme,andextendtheexemptionperiodto18months,toincentiviseemployerstoemploypeoplewhohavebeenontheliveregisterfor6monthsormore.Wewillensurethatemployersaremadeawareofthisandotherjobincentiveschemes.
ThisdevelopmentofaflagshipNationalEmploymentServiceisakeypartofLabour’swiderreformsofthesocialprotectionsystem,whicharegroundedintheprinciplethataperson’sfirstdayofunemploymentshouldalsobeafirststeponthewaybacktowork,withappropriatetraining,educationorworkexperiencesupportandotherincentivestomakethathappen.Thiswillalsoapplytothoseinreceiptofworkingagebenefitswhoarecapableofmakingatransitiontoworkinthecommunity,education,ortraining,oremployment.
meeTing The educaTion and Training needs of JoBseekersThemajorityofFÁSfundsfordirecttraining,andalloftheFÁStrainingcentres,willbetransferredtothefurthereducationandInstituteofTechnologysectors,withanexplicitmandatetodeliverhigh-quality,flexiblevocationaleducationandtrainingandabroader,modernapprenticeshipprogrammethatcaterstoawidervarietyoftrades,agesandgenders.ThiswillbeaccompaniedbyaredeploymentofqualifiedtrainingstafffromFÁStoCollegesofFurtherEducationandInstitutesofTechnology,asappropriate.Thetransitionwillbestrategicallymanagedbygovernmenttoensurethatavailabletrainingandeducationopportunitiesmeetthecurrentandprojectedneedsofthelabourmarket,andtheneedsofjobseekers.
InordertoretaintheelementofflexibilityintheoldFÁSsystemthatallowedittorespondtoemergingskillsshortages,aproportionofthefundingwouldgotocreateafundthatallproviders(publicandprivate)willbeabletotenderforinordertodelivertrainingindesignatedskillsshortages.Thoseskillsshortageswouldbeidentifiedinannuallabourmarketsurveys.
Labour’s Jobs Fund will fund 60,000 new training, education & internship places
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Labour’s manifesto 2011
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Jobs
• PassLabour’sClimateChangeBilltosetlegallybindingcarbonreductiontargetsinlinewithEUtargets
• IntroduceaNationalRetrofitSchemetomakeourhousingstockmoreenergyefficient
• ClearobstaclestobringingIreland’srichrenewableenergysourcesonstream
• PositionIrelandasaleadingplayerintheglobalcarbonmarket,andacentreofexcellenceinthemanagementofcarbon
• Reformhowweregulatethewastesectortokick-startinvestmentandinnovation,andreducecostsforconsumers
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Growing the Green EconomyTime for changeInthe21stcentury,asustainableenvironmentisintegraltoasustainableeconomy.Irelandhasanobligationtoreduceourgreenhousegases,andplayourpartintacklingclimatechange.However,thisalsoprovidesuswithanopportunitytocreatenewjobsinsectorssuchascleantechnology,renewableenergy,andservicesthatreduceourdemandforenergyinthefirstplace.Thesameistrueofmanagingourwatersupplies,reducingourwaste,andenhancingourenvironmentsothatitissafe,clean,andapositiveresourcefortourism.
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comBaTing gloBal warmingLabour’sClimateChangeBillwillprovidecertaintyaboutgovernmentpolicy,andaclearpathwayforemissionsreduction,inlinewithnegotiatedEUtargets.LabourwillalsoworkatEUleveltosetupanationalprogrammeforforestcarbonoffsets.
Irelandalsoneedsacoordinatedapproachtothetwo-prongedchallengeofreducingourcarbonoutputandgrowingourenergyindependence,withresponsibilityatthehighestlevelofgovernment.TheDepartmentoftheTaoiseachwillcoordinatebothourdomesticandinternationalpolicyonclimatechange.
WealsoneedtoanticipatechangestoIreland’sclimatethatarealreadyinevitable,byurgentlydevelopinganationalclimatechangeadaptationplan.
creaTing a low carBon socieTyOneoftheeasiest,fastestandcheapestwaystoreduceourcarbonemissionsistouselessfossilfuels.
LabourwillimprovetheenergyefficiencyofourexistinghousingstockbyinitiatingamajorNationalRetrofitScheme.Thereareupto1.2milliondwellingsinIrelandinneedofanenergyefficiencyretrofit,creatingatleast30,000directconstructionsectorjobswith
additionalindirectandinducedjobs.
Labourwillmakeiteasierandaffordableforhomeownerstoupgradetheirhome’sinsulationbyintroducinganEnergyEfficiencyObligationonenergysuppliers,whowouldinturnberequiredtooffer‘wholehouse’energyefficiencyupgrades.Thiswouldbepaidforthrougha‘payasyousave’mechanismonthehouseholdenergybill.
LabourwantstoendpoorqualityhousinginIreland.Toaddresstheproblemofexisting,inefficientbuildingstock,allhousingwillhavetomeetaminimumstandardofenergyefficiencyatthepointofsaleorrent.
Labourwillalsofurtherimproveenergyefficiencyfornewbuildings,withaviewtomovingtowardszerocarbonhomesinthelongerterm.Allnewcommercialbuildingswillalsoberequiredtosignificantlyreducetheircarbonfootprint.
Intandemwiththedevelopmentofasmartpublictransportsystem,Labourwilltargethaving350,000electriccarsonIrishroadsby2020.
Labourisalsocommittedtoaninitialtargetof50%greenpublicprocurement,andwillprogressivelyraiseenergyefficiencyandcarbonstandardsforfutureprocurementcommitments.
delivering clean, secure energy Irelandneedstomaximiseitsrichwindandwaveenergyregime,andpositionitselftobecomeanetexporterofcleanenergy.Renewableenergyprovidersneedcertaintyaboutpolicydirectiontoinvestandexpandtheirbusinesses.Labourwilllegislatetoregulatethegeothermalenergysectortoprovidecertaintyforinvestors,andtoprovideforanefficientForeshoreLicensingandLeasingprocessformarineenergy.
Labour will make it easier and affordable for homeowners to upgrade their home’s insulation
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Labour’s manifesto 2011www.labour.ie/manifesto
Todate,thetransitiontoalow-carbonenergyfutureinIrelandhasbeendefinedbyalackofpolicyandinstitutionalcoordination.Thislackofclarityintheframeworkthatsupportsthedevelopmentanddeploymentoflow-carbontechnologieshasdelayedprogressintheenergysector.
Labourwillcreateacoordinatingpolicyoffice,usingexistingresources,withintheDepartmentofCommunications,EnergyandNaturalResources.Thiswouldhavethebenefitofjoinedupthinkingandbeinapositiontoenhancesustainabilitymeasuresinacoordinatedwayacrossanumberofsectors.AspartofLabour’senterpriseandinnovationstrategy,LabourwillseektoestablishIrelandasarenewablemanufacturinghubtoattractinternationalanddomesticinvestment.LabourwillalsopositionIrelandasaleadingplayerintheglobalcarbonmarket,andacentreofexcellenceinthemanagementofcarbon.
Labourwillfacilitatethedevelopmentofenergyco-operativestomakeiteasierforsmall-scalerenewableenergyproviderstocontributetoourrenewablestarget.
Reducingdemandforfossilfuelsandgrowingrenewableenergysuppliesarecriticaltoourenergysecurity.However,itisimportantthatourgasandelectricitynetworksarekeptinpublicownership,sothataccesstothisvitalinfrastructureisnotjeopardised.LabourwillalsoensurethatIreland’sroyaltyregimeextendstotheCorribgasfieldaspartofawiderreviewofthetaxregimeandconditionsofoilandgasexploration.
LabourwillscraptheplanbytheEnergyRegulatortoinsistontheunnecessarycostofre-brandingofBordGáisandESB.
Labourwillnotestablishanynuclearfacilityinthestate.WewillcontinuetoopposetheSellafieldplantandotherinstallationsintheUKwhichposearisktoourpeople.
Tackling fuel and energy poverTyInthemedium-term,ourproposalswillresultinacleaner,moresecure,moreaffordablesupplyofheatandelectricitytoIrishhomes.However,Labourwillalsotakeimmediateactiontoalleviatetheriskoffuelpovertyintheshorttermbyre-investing€40millionfromthecarbontaxtoalleviatefuelpoverty,andbydevelopinganationalfuelpovertystrategyassetoutinLabour’sFuelPovertyandEnergyConservationBill.
LabourwillalsodirecttheCommissionforEnergyRegulationtoimplementafairerdisconnectionpolicythroughtheuseofpre-paymentmeters,andtodevelopafairpolicyinrelationtodisconnectionfees.
a susTainaBle wasTe policyIrelandneedsanationalwastemanagementstrategythatisenvironmentallysustainable,thatreducescostsforbusinessesandconsumers,andthatcreatesjobs.
Labour’swastepolicywilladheretotheEUwastehierarchy.Labourfavoursacoherentapproachtowastemanagementthatminimisesthewastegoingtolandfill,andthatmaximisestheresourcesthatcanberecoveredfromit.
Atnationallevel,LabourwillfacilitatethecoordinationofRegionalWasteManagementPlansinordertoensurehouseholdsandbusinesseshaveaminimumstandardofwasteservices,andalsotoprovidecertaintytoinvestors.Labourwillalsoinvestigatethepotentialforavirtualwaste‘clearinghouse’,wherecompaniesinvolvedintherecyclingorreuseofwastecanbidformaterial.Thismeasurewillalsoprovideclarityforinvestorsastothepotentialfornewwaste-relatedbusinesses.
InordertoaddressIreland’sobligationsundertheEUlandfilldirective,Labourwillexploretheintroductionofa‘capandtrade’schemethatwouldphaseintheauctioningofpermitsforlandfill.
Labourwillalsodriveawastereductionprogrammethroughtheextensionofproducerresponsibilityinitiatives,andalevyonpackaging.Labourwillconsiderplacingaproductlevyonhard-to-recycleobjects.
Specificproducerresponsibilityrequirementswillbeintroducedforconstructionanddemolitionprojectsoveracertainthreshold,withrecyclingandwastemanagementrequirementsenforcedthroughmandatorycompliancebondsthatcanberefundedattheendoftheproject.
Labour will take immediate action to alleviate the risk of fuel poverty
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Labour’s manifesto 2011www.labour.ie/manifesto
Inordertoimprovethewastecollectionserviceavailabletohouseholdersandbusinessesnationwide,andtoimprovetheamountandqualityofmaterialsavailableforrecyclingandre-use,Labourwillmakelocalauthoritieslegallyresponsibleforthecollectionofhouseholdwaste.Insteadofmultipleoperatorscompetingwithinlocalauthorities,operatorswillcompetetodeliveraservicetoeveryhouseholdinthelocalauthorityarea,asrecommendedbytheESRI.Localauthoritiescanalsocompeteagainstprivateoperatorsforthismarket,inwhichcasethecontractwouldbeawardedbyanindependentassessor.
Thesecontractswouldstipulateaminimumservicetobeofferednationwide,andapublicserviceobligation,includingafeewaiverschemeforlow-incomehouseholds.However,licenceswouldbeflexibleenoughtoallowforlocalisedwastemanagementneedsandopportunities.
ensuring access To safe waTerSecurityofaccesstocleandrinkingwaterisessentialforpublichealth.Thishasbeenunderminedbyrecentscandalsofpollutedwatersupplies,anddroughtcausedbyextremeweather.
Labourdoesnotfavourwatercharges,whichdonotaddresstheimmediateneedsofthosewhocurrentlyreceiveintermittentorpoorwatersupplies.Labourwillcontinuetoinvestinthewaterservicesprogrammeaspartofthecapitalbudget,focusingonminimisingtreatedwaterlostthroughleakage.
enhancing The qualiTy of our environmenTEveryonehastherighttoenjoyaclean,healthy,peacefulenvironment.Labourwillclampdownonenvironmentalcrime,suchasillegaldumpingandgraffiti,andstrengthenlawsagainstnoisepollutiontodealwithnoisefromneighbouringresidents,allowforonthespotfines,andprovideformediationbetweenneighbours.
Labourwillensurerelevantgovernmentdepartmentsintegratebiodiversityintotheirplans,policyandactions,andlegislatetobetterprotectourcoastalzones.Ourcountrysideandcoastlinesarepositiveamenitiesfortourism,andLabourwillworkinpartnershipwithlocalstakeholderstoensurereasonableandsafeaccesstothem.
LabourwillcontinuetheimplementationofnationalandEuropeanlegislationtoenhancebiodiversityandimproveconservation.LabourwillalsocompletetheratificationoftheAarhusConventiononaccesstoinformation,publicparticipationindecision-makingandaccesstojusticeinenvironmentalmatters.
Labour will make local authorities legally responsible for the collection of household waste
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Jobs
The firsT sTeps
• Facilitatetheestablishmentofanewcompany,NetCo,whichwouldbegintheroll-outofnextgenerationbroadband
• Empowertheregulator,ComReg,toensureallbroadbandsuppliersprovideregulardataonspeeds,andendinaccurateadvertisingofbroadbandspeeds
• Addressthegrowingproblemofdigitalliteracy
• ProtectlocalpostalservicesbylegislatingforacomprehensiveUniversalServiceObligation
• RevisetheNationalDevelopmentPlantoprioritisepublictransportprojectsthatdeliverthebestvalueformoney,reduceroadcongestion,andreducegreenhousegases
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Infrastructure for the 21st CenturyTime for changeBehindFiannaFáil’srhetoricofthe‘SmartEconomy’istherealityofIreland’spoorperformanceinalmosteveryinternationalleaguetable.Labour’sbroadbandstrategywillextendnextgenerationbroadbandspeedsacrossIreland,allowingustoembracecloudcomputing,e-health,e-transport,e-learning,improveonourenergyefficiencyandpositionIrelandasaworldleaderincommunicationsinnovation.Togetherwithrebalancingtransportpolicytofavourpublictransport,Labourwilllaythefoundationsforagreener,moresustainableeconomy.
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delivering nexT generaTion BroadBandIreland’sbiggestobstacletodeliveringnextgenerationbroadbandistheprohibitivecostofinvestinginanew,nextgenerationnetwork.Toaddressthatmarketfailure,Labourwillfacilitatetheestablishmentofacompany,NetCo,whichwillallowinvestorstosharetheriskofinvestinginanewnetwork.
Thiscooperativecompanywouldbeavehiclefortheroll-outofnextgenerationbroadband,connectingthemajorityofuserstofibreopticcableswhichwillallowspeeds100Mpb/sandgreater.Thevastmajorityofhomeswouldbedirectlyconnectedtothefibrenetwork,withawirelesssolutiononlybeingofferedinremoteareas.Thisnetworkwouldreplacetheagingcoppernetworkthatiscurrentlyinexistence.
NetCowouldownthepassiveelementsoftheinfrastructure,butwouldbebarredfromsimultaneouslyprovidingbroadbandservices,soasnottocreateamonopoly.Telecomsoperatorsandretailerswouldbechargedthesameratetoaccessthenetwork.However,initialinvestorsinthenetworkwouldbechargedapreferentialrateinordertoincorporatetheriskoftheirinitialinvestment.
ThiscooperativeapproachtoinvestingprivatefundsinthefibrenetworkhasbeensuccessfullyexploitedinSwitzerland,andthroughapublic-privateventureintheNetherlands.
BeTTer value firsT generaTion BroadBandComRegwillbemandatedtocontinuetolowerthepriceofLocal-LoopUnbundling.Tofurtherdrivevalueforconsumers,ComRegwillrequireallbroadbandproviderstopublishaveragespeedsforeachpackage.Wewillalsointroduceanewgovernmentratingsystemsothathomeownersandtenantscanassessbroadbandfacilitieseasily,andtorestrictmisleadingadvertisementsrelatingtomonthlycaps.
developing ireland as an ip huBLaboursupportsthedevelopmentofanInternationalContentServicesCentreinIreland,anditspotentialtomakeIrelandaEuropeanhubforthedisseminationofIntellectualProperty.WewillworkatEuropeanleveltoensurethatrightsclearanceisstandardised,toprovideforatransparentandcompetitivemarketinIntellectualPropertyacrosstheEU.
LabourwillalsoworktowardsthedevelopmentofEU-widestandardsfordigitisationandarchiving,inordertomaketheEUaworldleaderindigitalcontentmanagement.
mainTaining puBlic service BroadcasTingLaboursupportsandvaluespublicservicebroadcasting,whichhasalwaysbeenafundamentalcornerstoneoftheIrishbroadcastingsystem.Itpromotesdiversity,socialandculturalvaluesthatareessentialtoaproperlyfunctioningdemocracy.LabourwillupholdthesevaluesasIrelandmakesthetransitiontodigitaltelevisionandradio,ensuringthataccessto,andthequalityofpublicservicebroadcasting,areprotected.
Labourwillexaminetherole,andthecollectionof,theTVlicensefee
Labour will facilitate private companies to invest in a next generation network
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inlightofexistingandprojectedconvergenceofbroadcastingtechnologies.
regulaTing for The fuTure of BroadcasTingTelecommunicationsregulatoryandlicensingmattersarecurrentlyhandledbyComReg,whereasbroadcastingregulationandlicenseswillbetheresponsibilityoftheBroadcastingAuthorityofIreland.Giventheconvergenceoftechnologyinthissector–i.e.videoondemand,mobilebroadband–wewillmergetheBroadcastingAuthorityofIrelandandComRegtoformoneregulatorybody.
Thisnewpan-regulatorybodywillalsohaveresponsibilityforprotectingconsumersfrom‘ripoff’chargesandforQualityAssurance.
ensuring The survival of prinT media in irelandGiventheintensepressuresthatnewspaperandbroadcastmediacurrentlyface,adetailedandinformedpolicydiscussionisrequiredtoensurethefuturesurvivalofastrongindigenousmediapresenceinIreland.
TheDepartmentofCommunications,EnergyandNaturalResourceswillengageinastructureddialogueonthefuturechallengesfacedbytheprintandbroadcastmediainIreland,withbroadinputfromindustry,politics,andconsumerandcivicgroups.
susTaining a universal posTal serviceInlightoftheproposedliberalisationofthepostalservices,Labourbelievesthatauniversalpostalserviceisessential,inparticularforruralcommunitiesandthosedisadvantagedcommunitiesaffectedbythedigitaldivide.Acommerciallyviable,profitableandefficientAnPostiskeytothelong-termviability
ofthepostalmarket.LabourwillensurethatthePostalServicesBillprovidesforaclearcommitmenttotheuniversalserviceobligation.
Labourwillimplementtherecommendationsoftheall-partyagreedOireachtasCommitteePostcodesReport.
making TransporT more susTainaBleLabour’svisionforIreland’stravelandtransportsystemisforonethatismodern,reliable,integrated,accessibleandsafe.
Allplannedtransportinfrastructureprojects,includingPublic-PrivatePartnerships,willbesubjecttoacostbenefitanalysis.Basedonthisanalysis,investmentintransportinfrastructurethatprovidesthebestvalueformoney,andthatreducescarbonemissionsfromtransport,willbeprioritised.
Inlightofthedamagecausedtoroadsbyrecentextremeweather,Labourwillallocate,onaonce-offbasis,aportionoftheexistingroadsbudgettoprioritiserepairofthosesecondaryroadsmostaffected.
Cyclingandwalkingwillbeattheheartofanyfuturesustainabletransportnetwork.Labourwillprovideforcontiguouscyclingroutesforcommuters,andsafeschoolcycleroutes.Thesafety
needsofcyclistswillbetakenintoaccountinenhancedroadjunctiondesign,improvedsignageandroadmaintenance.Labourwillalsointroducelegislationtostrengthentheneedsofpedestrians,cyclistsandpublictransportcommutersintheplanningprocessandthetransportsystem.
Inordertoprovideforapublictransportinfrastructurethatgrowswithourpopulation,wewillintroducelegislationtoensurethatalllargenewresidentialandcommercialdevelopmentswillhaveintegratedtransportservicesaspartoftheirplanningpermission.
TheDublinTransportAuthorityActandthePublicTransportRegulationActwillalsobeamendedtorequireDevelopmentPlans,LocalAreaPlansandrezoningapplicationstomakeprovisionforpublictransportservicesifthepopulationoftheareasaffectedreachesorisplannedtoreachaspecifiedthreshold.
more efficienT puBlic TransporTBusserviceswillcontinuetobethemostcosteffectiveandmostflexiblewayofdeliveringpublictransportbothincitiesandinruralareas.InvestmentinpublictransportwillfocusonthefurtherdevelopmentofQualityBusNetworks,andParkandRidefacilities.LabourwillalsoexplorethedevelopmentoftheBus
Labour’s vision for Ireland’s travel and transport system is for one that is modern, reliable, integrated, accessible and safe
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RapidTransitmodelinourcities,whichcanreplicatethespeedandcomfortoflightrailatafractionofthecost.
Labourwillcompletetheroll-outoftheIntegratedTicketingSystemonallmodesoftransport.LabourwillalsocompletetheplannedimplementationofRealTimePassengerInformationatbusstopsinDublinandCork,withaviewtoextendingthisservicetootherregionsasresourcesallow.
Ruraltransportisessentialtopreventsocialexclusion,helpruralbusinessandreducegreenhousegasemissions.LabourwillseektomaintaintheRuralTransportProgrammeandmakeintegratedruraltransportakeyresponsibilityfortheNationalTransportAuthority.
LaboursupportsthedevelopmentofarevisedframeworkstrategyforthetaxiindustryundertheNationalTransportAuthority.LabourwilldefertheintroductionoftheNineYearRuleoncompulsoryreplacementoftaxisto1January2012,andendthesecond-handmarketintaxilicences. keeping ireland connecTed Anislandnationthatexports80%ofallitproducesmusthavesecureshippinglinesforinternationalconnectivity.LabourwillreviewourseaportoperationstoensurethatIrelandhasadequateshippingcapacityinthemediumtolong-termandthatourseaportshavemanagementstructuresandfinancialstabilitytocarryouttheirmandate.Thisreviewwillalsotakeintoaccount
thecurrentandprojectedneedsofoceanenergyproviders.
AirtransportisofvitalnationalstrategicimportancetoIreland.Maintainingstrongcompetitiveness,andregionalconnectivity,intheairlinemarketwillbeapriority.
making our roads saferLabourwillsupporttheRoadSafetyAuthorityintheimplementationoftheRoadSafetyStrategy2007-2012.Inparticular,LaboursupportstheimplementationoftheGraduatedDriverLicensingSystemforthetraining,testingandlicensingofnewdrivers.Labourwillintroducethelegislationnecessarytoactivatetheseproposals.
LabourwilloverhaulandconsolidatetheRoadTrafficActstomaximisetheireffectiveness,andcarryoutanauditofthenationalroadnetworktoensurethatallroadsurfaces,signageandtrafficsignalscomplywiththehighestsafetystandards.
Labour will explore the development of the Bus Rapid Transit model in our cities
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Jobs
The firsT sTeps
• ScaleupIreland’sagriculturalproductivitythroughthedevelopmentofthedairyandmeatsectors
• Reducetheageprofileoftheagri-foodsectorandincreasethesizeandproductivityoffarmsthroughencouragingfarmpartnerships
• ImplementtherecommendationsoftheFoodHarvest2020report
• FocusondevelopingnewbrandsforIrishfood,includinganecobrandandlocalbrands
• DevelopIrelandasaEuropeanhubforseafoodprocessing
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Growing Jobs in Food, Agriculture and FisheriesTime for changeIrelandhasanopportunitytomakeaquantumleapinfoodproductionthroughtheexportoffoodproducts.Irishagricultureneedstopositionitselftotakeadvantageofnewmarkets,agrowingworldpopulationandamovetowardsmoremarket-drivenpoliciesatEUlevel,whichispushingupdemandforqualityfoodproducts.Theagri-foodsectorisoneofIreland’sbiggestemployers,itislargelyIrish-owned,anditisnationwide.Labour’splanistotransformoneofourtraditionalstrengthsintoa21stcenturydriverofeconomicgrowth.
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preparing for changeThisisaperiodofradicalchangeintheagriculturesector.ThereformoftheCommonAgriculturalPolicy(CAP)posessignificantchallengesfortheIrishagricultureandagri-foodsectors,whichwemustbereadytomeet.TheoverallimpactoftheCAPproposalswillresultinamoremarket-drivenindustry,withanemphasisontheneedforcostcompetitivenessforthosesectorsofthefoodindustryfocusingoncommoditymarkets.
Ingovernment,Labourwillworktoretainour€1.3billionCAPfundingenvelope.OurnegotiatingpositionatEUlevelispredicatedonretainingthisenvelope.
Labouralsoacceptstheneedforanextensivebi-lateralexchangewithothercountriestoensurethatanychangesinpolicyatEUlevelandattheWorldTradeOrganisationmustnotunderminetheprincipleofdirectpaymentstofoodproducers.
growing The dairy and meaT secTorsTheanticipatedCAPreformswillmeaneconomiesofscalewillbecomemoreimportant.Facilitatingconsolidationinthedairyandbeefsectorwillbeahighpriority.Increasingourfocusonscaleandcompetitivenesswillfurtheremphasisetheneedforproducersandprocessorstofocusoncommodityormainstreammarkets.
LabourwillfocusondevelopingthefullpotentialofIreland’sdairysector,byworkingwiththesectortoincrease
take-upofnewtechnologiesandevidence-basedpracticethatresultinhighermilkyieldsatlowercost.
Labouralsofavoursmoremarket-basedpricingtoreflectimprovedproductsandinnovationinthemeatanddairysectors,andthedevelopmentofmoreintegratedsupplychains.
improving farm producTiviTyIreland’sscaleatproducerlevellagsbehindourmajorcompetitors,andwithanageingfarmpopulationtheneedforstructuralchangewillcontinue.LabourfavoursamodelofSingleFarmPaymentsthatwillrewardinnovationandseefurtherinclusionofyoungerfarmers.
Theonlywaytocreatescaleistobuyorlease,thepotentialforwhichislimitedbythestructureofIreland’sfarmholdings.Wecangivefarmersapproachingretirement,thosewhonolongerwishtofarm,orbeneficiariesoffarms,theopportunitytoretainanincomefromtheirland,whilealsomaximisingtheoverallpotentialproductivityofIrishholdings.
Labourwilldevelopmechanismsforfarmers,nonruralresidentswithinheritedlandandoldersinglefarmerstovesttheirholdingsinalocalco-operativefarmpartnershipwheretheywouldretainownership,shareintheprofitsofsuchpartnershipsandareinformedregularlyofprogressandplans.
Theywouldbefreeatanystage,givenadequatenotice,towithdrawtheirholdingfromtheco-op.Thesefarmunitscouldbeapowerfulsourceoflocalemploymentandcouldhavethescaletodevelopandproducebrandedproduce.
SuchholdingsshouldbesupportedandincludedforDirectPaymentswherepossibleandespeciallyincaseswhereCommunitySupportedAgricultureModelsaredeveloped.
Labour will focus on developing the full potential of Ireland’s dairy sector
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growing our agri-food secTorAgrowingandmoreaffluentworldpopulationisanopportunityforIrelandtoexpanditsfoodexports.
LaboursupportstherecommendationsoftheHarvestFood2020Report.Inadditiontoimplementingtheserecommendations,ouragri-foodpolicywillfocusonthedevelopmentofthepremiumartisanfoodmarketandofIrelandasaworldclassfoodtourismdestination.
BrandingofIrishfoodwillbedeveloped,suchaseco-foodlabelling,enhancedorganicbranding,andthedevelopmentoflocalbrands.NewIrishfoodbusinesseswillbedevelopedthroughaseriesofcoordinatedeffortsacrossthefoodsectorandstateagencies.Forexample,thebuildingofpilotplantkitchenstoallowfoodproducerstodevelopandmanufactureproductsonasmallscale;thefurtherdevelopmentoffarmers’markets;andthedevelopmentbyEnterpriseIrelandofscaleablemanufacturingsolutionsforfoodbusinessesthathavethecapacitytoexpand.
LabourwillalsoseektoimplementtherecommendationsoftheEighthReportoftheJointCommitteeonEnterprise,TradeandInnovationrelatingtogrowingemploymentintheagri-foodsector.
Labourwillsupportevidence-baseddevelopmentoftheagri-foodsectorthroughcontinuedsupportforR&D,andmodernisededucationandtrainingoptionsforthoseseekingtowork,ortoupgradetheirskills,inthesector.Labourwillalsoexaminehowrelatedsubjectsatsecondlevelcouldbemodernisedtoreflectnewdemandsandopportunitiesintheagri-foodsector.
a fair deal for producersLabourwilladoptajoined-upapproachtofosteringasustainableagri-foodsectorinIrelandbyexaminingboththesupplyof,anddemandfor,Irishfoodproducts.Wewillworkwithlocal
authoritiestodevelopfarmers’markets,andfavourasustainableplanningmodelthatpromotesdiversityinthefoodretailsector.Wewillalsoputthecurrentvoluntarycodeprovidingforgreatertransparencyinthefoodsupplychainonastatutoryfooting.
open To new ideasLabourwillactivelywelcomeconstructiveengagementbyinterestedstakeholdersingrowingourindigenousfarming,foodandbiofuelindustries.LabouralsosupportstheproposalsbyIrishRuralLinkforthestrategicregionalisationofIrishagriculturepolicytomaximisethedevelopmentofthesector.
BiofuelsTheEURenewableEnergyDirectivesetsouttargetstoensurethatIreland’senergyisprovidedfromrenewablesby2020.LabourwantstoseeindigenousIrishindustrytakeupproductionofrenewablestoensurethosetargetsaremet.Wesupportalandusestrategywhichwouldswapaproportionofruminantgrazingtoperennialenergycrops,whichwillreduceIreland’sgreenhousegases.However,Irelandisandwillcontinuetobeapredominantlyfoodproducingandexportingcountry.
foresTryLabourrecognisestheimportanceofforestryasasourceofemployment,asasourceofrenewableenergy,asapublicamenity,andasameansofreducingournationalcarbonfootprint.LabouropposestheprivatisationofCoillteandthesaleofpubliclyownedforests.
Labourwillsetaplantingtargetof10,000hectaresperannum,andwillworkwithstakeholderstoagreeasustainablefundingmodeltoachievethisaim.
animal welfareLabourwillensurethatanimalwelfareisenhancedandprotected,andwillstrengthenlegislationonanimalcruelty.
coasTal communiTies, fisheries & marine environmenTThemarinesectorfacesmajorchallengesintheyearsahead,butitisalsoanareaofmajoreconomicpotential.
Labour’sprioritywillbetodevelopIrelandasaEuropeanhubforseafoodprocessing,whichwillcreatesustainable,value-addedjobsincoastalcommunities.
LabourwillalsodevelopanIrishseafoodstrategytogrowthemarketprofileanddemandforIrishseafoodproducts.Wewillsupportthedevelopmentofsustainableaquacultureandfishfarmsbystreamliningthelicensingprocessandreducing,asmuchaspossible,theassociatedbureaucracy.Tofurtherassistthedevelopmentofthesector,responsibilityformaritimepolicywill,asfarasispracticable,beconcentratedinonedepartment.
LabourwillestablishaSeaFisheriesSustainabilityImpactAssessmentbasedonconsultationwithallmajorstakeholders.ThisreportwillbebroughtbeforetheDáilonanannualbasisbeforeEUfisheriesnegotiationscommence,andwillensurethatthereisaregularevaluationofIrishfishstocksandtheeffectivenessofcurrentpolicyandquotas.
Labourisopentotheexperienceandexpertiseofthosewhoselivelihoodsdependonmaritimeactivity.TheDepartmentofAgriculture,FisheriesandFoodwillengageinanongoingstructuredconsultationwithindustryrepresentatives,themarinescientificcommunityandotherstakeholderstoenablethemtocontributetonationalmaritimepolicy.
Finally,safetyatseaanddecentworkingconditionsmustunderpinthedevelopmentofthefisheriessector.LabouringovernmentwillensurethattheIrishCoastGuardhasaccesstoanEmergencyTowingVessel.
Jobs
Labour’s manifesto 2011
www.labour.ie/manifesto
The firsT sTeps
• Grownewmarkets,includinglong-haulmarketsandnichemarkets,suchasactivityholidays,ecotourism,foodtourismandculturaltourism
• MakeregainingmarketshareinIreland’stopoverseasmarketsapriority
• Extendfreeoff-peaktraveltoallover-66visitorsonallCIEservices
• Usethewebandsmartphoneappstoprovideinnovativeproductsfortourists
• Dealwithover-supplyinthehotelsectortonormalisethemarket
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Growing Jobs in Tourism Time for changeIrelandhasastrongtourismproduct,butwehavelostourcompetitiveedgeinrecentyears.Tourismisasustainableindustry,capableofprovidingjobsateveryskilllevel,ineverycornerofthecountry.
Labour’splantogrowjobsintourismtakesafreshapproachtoprovidingtouristinfrastructure,newwaysofusingtechnologytoenhancevisitors’stayhere,andajoined-upapproachtofindingnewmarkets.
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focus on growing new markeTs LabourwillmaintaintheTourismMarketingFundasanessentialpillarofourtourismstrategy,andwillintroduceasystematicauditingsystemtoensurethebestreturnonExchequerspending.RevitalisingIreland’sbrandidentityabroadwillbeapriorityforLabouringovernment.
Growthinglobaltourisminthe21stcenturywillpredominatelycomefromnon-traditionalmarkets,especiallyAsia.MarketingcampaignswillbedevelopedinemerginglonghaulmarketssuchasChina,Russia,India,JapanandtheMiddleEast,usingtheTourismMarketingFund.Thiswillbecomplementedbyabroadertranslationpolicyandareformedtouristvisaprocess.
Nichemarketswillbedeveloped,includingactivityholidays,suchasgolfandsurftourism;ecotourism;andfoodtourism.Toexploitthepotentialofbusinesstourism,TourismIrelandwillbemandatedtodevelopadedicatedserviceorganisingandpromotingsightseeinginandbeyondconferencelocationsforconferencedelegates.
‘Eventtourism’willalsobeprioritised,withstrategicplanningandprioritisationoffundingtobringmajorinternationalfairsandeventstoIrelandsuchastheVolvoOceanRaceortheSolheimCup.
Aspartofaninitiativetoencouragedomesticeventtourism,LabourwillmaketheCultureNightInitiativeatwiceyearlyevent,andintroduceaNationalLotteryFundingAnniversaryDay,wherebyallfacilitieswhichhavereceivedfundingfromtheNationalLotterywillopentheirdoorstothepublicfreeofcharge.
regain markeT share in TradiTional markeTs70%ofIreland’soverseasvisitorscomefromBritain,theUS,GermanyandFrance.RecoveryofmarketshareinBritain,andincreasingpenetrationintheotherthreemarketswillbeakeypriorityinarevampedtourismstrategy.improve TourisT infrasTrucTureToencouragetouriststotravelaroundIreland,afreetravelschemeforeveryvisitorover66atoffpeaktimeswillbeintroducedonallCIEservices,fromwithinCIE’sexistingbudget.Coachtourisminfrastructurewillbefurtherdevelopedtoencourageorganisedtourism.Improvedferryconnectivity,withmorefrequencyandadditionalroutes,willbeencouragedasanalternativetoairtravel.
TheDepartmentofTourism,CultureandSportwillbemandatedtoconductanassessmentofthequalityandeffectivenessofexistingsignage,withaviewtoimprovingthetouristexperienceandincreasingvisitstoattractionsclosetomajorsites.
using Technology To improve our Tourism producTImprovingthee-capabilityofourtourismproductwillbeapriority.ThiswillbeginwiththeupgradingoftheDiscoverIrelandwebsite,toimproveonlineintegrationbetweenattractions,accommodation,
Revitalising Ireland’s brand identity abroad will be a priority for Labour in government
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andtransportproviders,toallowpotentialcustomersalltheinformationtheyrequireviaonesite.
Labourwillalsofocusexistingexpenditureontourismonotherweb-basedtoolswhichsupportthetourismindustry,andwillencourageinnovationinthisareabydigitalmediacompanies.Thisincludesdevelopinginformationplatformsontheinternetforvariousnicheaudiences,suchasaSurfIrelandoraGolfIrelandwebportal,ornewweb-basedtoolssuchasaninteractiveIrishtourismapplicationforsmartphones.
normalising The hoTel secTorThedisastrousimpactoftaxbreaksforthehotelsectorthatservedasataxavoidancemechanismwillneedtobeaddressed.LabourwillrequireNAMAtoconductanindependentreviewofthehotelsector,andusethisasabasisfordecisionsonwhichhotelsitshouldcontinuetosupport.Labourwillalsoconsiderallowingcertainhotelsthatwishtochangeusetoacommunityfacilitytoexitthehotelcapitaltaxreliefschemeandbeexemptfromtheclaw-backofthetaxreliefforegone.Theobjectivewillbetoachieve,inconsultationwiththeindustry,anorderlyreductioninthenumberofhotelbeds.
making change and JoBs happenAspartofourwiderComprehensiveSpendingReview,Labourwillconductacriticalassessmentofthefunctions,systemsandefficiencyofthesemistateagenciesinthetourismsectorwithaviewtoestablishingtheoptimumsupportrequiredbythetourismindustry,whichoffersthebestvalueformoneyforthetaxpayer.
Labouralsosupportstheestablishmentofanindustry-ledtourismrecoverytaskforcetodrivegrowthinthetourismsector,asrecommendedbytheIrishTourismIndustryConfederation.
Improving the e-capability of our tourism product will be a priority