PDs promise to raise pensions to €200 per week

The Progressive Democrats (PDs) have promised to raise the standard contributory State pension to €200 per week if they are returned to Government.

This would represent an increase of over 25 per cent on rates.

Ms Mary Harney said this morning her party would fight to defend the National Pensions Reserve Fund against "raiding" proposed by outgoing Minister for Finance Mr McCreevy. Such a move would be an "anti-pensioner" move, she said.

The PDs say they would introduce pension books for all elderly people, ending the system whereby wives are regarded as dependent on their husbands.

The majority of over-65s will also be removed from the tax net completely, Ms Harney. said. "Our proposals are about real policy action, not rhetoric".

Ms Harney also said she wanted 2,000 extra gardaí on the streets and a Reserve Police Force to assist in community policing. She also proposed compensating the victims of crimes with fines imposed on culprits by the courts.