Fine Gael leader Mr Michael Noonan launched his party’s General Election campaign today by telling the electorate that a vote for his party was the only sure way of ejecting Fianna Fáil from government.
He said a vote for the smaller parties could still lead to Fianna Fáil leading the next government. "Fine Gael is offering an alternative vision ... [that] centres on improving people’s lives," he said.
Fianna Fáil had "created an ideological culture of individual greed and a serious downgrading of community values" he claimed.
He attacked their record on crime, traffic and childcare saying it was becoming increasingly more difficult to balance work and family and that "stress is everywhere as a result".
"If Fianna Fáil is re-elected, changes in society which they have begun to implement in the past five years will be cemented to the point where they are irreversible," Mr Noonan said.
He promised the party would "show compassion to the needy and underprivileged" and address issues such as affordable housing and healthcare.
Fianna Fáil have broken their promise to control public spending and clamp down on crime, Mr Noonan said.
Mr Noonan concluded: "The people will deliver their verdict on polling day as they did in all the six by-elections and the two referendums during this government’s lifetime.
I am confident that the Fianna Fáil approach once more will be rejected by the people ... that is why I am confident that the next government will be led by Fine Gael."