Ireland not 'banjaxed' - Kenny

Fine Gael is the only political party that has pledged not to raise income tax, according to its leader Enda Kenny.

Mr Kenny said Fine Gael recognised the importance of “giving hope and confidence to people through the taxation system”.

“The Fine Gael party in this election is the only party that is categorically saying that there will not be any increase in income tax over our period in government,” he said.

Speaking to reporters outside party election headquarters in Dublin, Mr Kenny said the country was "far from banjaxed".

It was time for "courageous and strong" government, "not a time for government that
might self-combust or be dependent on the whim of Independents".

Mr Kenny said he looked forward to presenting his party's five-point policy platform to voters. "With our plan, the old cynicism, the old clichés, the old ways are of the past and will remain of the past."

He said he knew how people across the country were feeling. "I understand their anger. I understand the depth of their concerns. They've lost their jobs in some cases lost their homes and people who have lost their families and their loved ones to emigration."

However, he said anger would not get the country working again.