The Taoiseach, Mr Ahern and the Tánaiste, Ms Mary Harney this afternoon approved the Programme for Government agreed between Fianna Fáil and the Progressive Democrats.
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The Tanaiste Ms Mary Harney speaks to reporters outside Government Buildings today Photo: Alan Cummins
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A 30-page document outlining plans for the incoming Government was released today.
In a joint statement, Mr Ahern and Ms Harney said that: "Unprecedented opportunity has been given, uniquely to us in this generation. It is the opportunity to build a fair society of equal opportunity and of sustained prosperity on an island at peace with itself".
The statement said that the Programme for Government is clear in intent and specific in detail. "It is the agreed agenda for this partnership Government over five full years. It is based on the manifestos of Fianna Fáil and the Progressive Democrats. In Government it is open to either party to seek to persuade colleagues to pursue any individual policy included in those manifestos," they said.
They said that the Irish people can be "justly proud of the achievements of peace and prosperity of the past five years", but that much more remains to do.
Divided into five major parts, the Programme sets out an agenda for all major aspects of Government activity.
Part 1 contains sections on peace, defence and international affairs. It confirms that a new referendum on EU enlargement will be held later this year.
Part 2 deals with a range of economic issues. The overall target for public spending is set at keeping within the terms of the EU Stability and Growth Pact.
In relation to tax, the document says that the key priorities are removing people on the minimum wage from the tax net and reducing the numbers who pay tax at the higher rate. The phased reduction in Corporation Tax will be completed.
Part 3 deals with seven different areas under the broad heading of ‘ensuring balanced regional development’.
The National Spatial Strategy will be published and the Government work to make sure that all parts of Ireland see real progress will be a central priority for the new Government.
The document says that a new integrated transport policy will be implemented. It also outlines commitments in the areas of the environment, tourism, housing and the marine.
Part 4 deals with 13 areas under the general heading of ‘building a caring society’.
In this section a commitment is stated to reach a minimum €200 per week for pensioners and €150 for all social welfare payments.
A programme to hire 2,000 more gardaí will be implemented and they will be targeted against public order offences and drugs.
In schools, class sizes will be reduced, with an emphasis on infant classes and a new Schools Modernisation Fund will be established and it will ensure that all school buildings meet modern standards.
It also promises significant increases in Child Benefit as part of a coordinated effort to tackle child poverty.
Measures to target drug dealers and regenerate our most disadvantaged communities are also outlined in this section.
Part 5 is called ‘supporting civic life’ and deals with good government, sport, culture and the Irish language.
The Programme gives a commitment to supporting the commercial semi-state sector and to securing a viable long-term future for State companies. It also points to a number of ways to improve value for money and the quality of state services.
The Programme signals the new Government’s wish to negotiate a renewed Partnership Agreement.
In relation to sport, it re-iterates its commitment to construct what it calls "a world-class national stadium". It also promises that other facilities which service the needs of sporting bodies at national and local level will be constructed.
Later tonight the Programme for Government will be put to the ruling councils of Fianna Fáil and the PDs.
