Criticism of FG, Labour over policies

Education:Green Party education spokesman Paul Gogarty hit out at potential coalition partners Fine Gael and Labour over their tax and education commitments.

The Dublin Mid-West TD said "the Labour Party wants to cut taxes at a cost to the exchequer of €1 billion. That is exactly the figure the Green Party is proposing to make as an additional investment in our education system." He announced a plan to create 2,400 new teaching jobs between primary and secondary level, to meet the party's commitment to reducing class sizes towards 20 and to a statutory maximum of 25. "These jobs will cost in the region of €84 million."

Mr Gogarty also hit out at Fine Gael for promising "the sun, moon and stars on education, but there are no costs and they refuse to say where the money is coming from".

Cllr Mark Deery, the party's Louth candidate, said the Greens would increase spending on school repair and maintenance from €290 million to €760 million a year. He wanted to abolish fees for part-time students, offer student loans and ensure student grants were paid on time.

Brian Flanagan, Green Meath West candidate, told the conference 32 children to a class was typical in Co Meath.

Elizabeth Davidson, the party's Dublin South West candidate, said most schools in Tallaght are categorised as disadvantaged and what is required "is not rocket science - it's investment".