Socialist manifesto:The Socialist Party has rejected being part of any Fianna Fáil or Fine Gael-led coalition government even if it wins two or more seats and holds the balance of power.
Party leader Joe Higgins TD said yesterday it would not entertain joining any government dominated by Fianna Fáil or Fine Gael, and was instead committed to building a real alternative to "the grey mass that has dominated Dáil Éireann".
"We will not be part of a government which will implement a pro-big business agenda at the expense of the working people," he said, adding that any Socialist Party candidates elected to the Dáil would vote against Bertie Ahern or Enda Kenny if they were proposed for Taoiseach.
Among the key policy planks in the manifesto are:
• a massive State building programme to develop quality social housing for all who need it, to buy or to rent;
• a free, publicly-owned national health service funded through a progressive tax system to provide prompt healthcare for all;
• investing wealth in proper public transport, education and infrastructure under democratic public ownership;
• an end to social partnership.