Election 2020: Will smaller parties be sidelined in Varadkar-Martin shootout?

Good morning.

The second full day of campaigning in Election 2020 saw the focus turn to the economy, even if it was more of a fiscal flirt from Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael than a detailed outline of their policy positions.

Fine Gael’s big offering is Taoiseach Leo Varadkar’s long-standing promise to raise the threshold at which people hit the higher rate of income tax to €50,000, but the finer details of that policy will not be forthcoming until later in the campaign.

As expected, Fianna Fáil says the overall emphasis of its manifesto will be on increased spending on services, with Michael McGrath saying the ratio of spending increases to tax cuts will be greater than the 2:1 split seen in the confidence-and-supply deal. McGrath offered scant detail but said his economic plan would be outlined in all its glory next week.

Election 2020: FG and FF promise tax cuts and increases in public spending

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Spending plans of main parties set to shape voters’ behaviour

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Ministers ditch Davos for electorate’s doorsteps

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Social Democrats zero in on housing, health and transport

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A report on what amounted to a trailer for the Fianna Fáil plan - although the press conference, at well over an hour, was substantially longer than your usual movie teaser - is here.

Far more entertaining was Miriam Lord's jaunt on the campaign trail with Micheál Martin, who was at one point mistaken for a crisps salesman.

Pat Leahy reports from yesterday's Fine Gael event, which saw Varadkar, Paschal Donohoe and Heather Humphreys promise lower taxes and greater spending while running a surplus in the public finances.

Sinn Féin, meanwhile, said it will bring the State pension age back down to 65 and keep it there.

RTÉ’s Prime Time last night featured a debate on the economy between Fine Gael’s Paschal Donohoe, Fianna Fáil’s Michael McGrath, Pearse Doherty of Sinn Féin, Eamon Ryan of the Greens and Ruth Coppinger of Solidarity-People Before Profit.

Nobody landed any serious blows, and the back and forth was in line with the rest of the campaign: Donohoe defending his record, McGrath criticising it; Doherty lumping Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil together; Coppinger calling for much more radical change; and Ryan explaining his position on issues such as why he wants to increase carbon taxes at a faster rate than everyone else.

As a useful explainer to all the political noise about the economy, Cliff Taylor has a detailed piece here on why people may not feeling better off as the economy grows.

Overall, it seems as if the campaign has settled into a rhythm after the frenzy of its opening stages. A quick round of calls last night to Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil TDs indicted both camps are content with how the election is developing so far.

Fianna Fáilers say there is a strong desire for change, while some Fine Gaelers, who had been fearing a tough time on the doorsteps, were pleasantly surprised at the reception they were getting. Fine Gael TDs reported the organisation of their campaign is much better than it was at the last election.

Both sets of TDs said the early indications are voters see Election 2020 as a choice between Leo Varadkar and Micheál Martin, and the TDs believe this will squeeze smaller parties and Independents as the campaign continues.

Election events

The Social Democrats launched their election campaign by focusing on housing, health and public transport.

Labour Dublin Bay North candidate Aodhán Ó Ríordáin has called for the establishment of a northside Dublin crime task force.

Maureen O’Sullivan, the well liked and respected Dublin Central Independent, announced she will not be seeking re-election.

Election diary

Fine Gael leader Leo Varadkar is campaigning in Drogheda and will separately, as Taoiseach, visit Drogheda Garda station, from where the investigation into the murder of 17-year-old Keane Mulready-Woods is being directed. He will also canvass in Birr, Co Offaly. Eoghan Murphy and Paschal Donohoe will hold a press conference on social housing.

Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin will be in Arklow, Wexford and New Ross. The party will also hold a briefing on crime and drugs with Jim O’Callaghan, John Curran and Mary Fitzpatrick.

Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald is in Bray, Co Wicklow, to set out some of her party’s plans to tackle overcrowding in hospitals.

Labour will unveil its “Getting Ireland Moving” policy to improve commuter towns. Leader Brendan Howlin and Louth candidate Ged Nash will be in the Mill Centre, Drogheda.

The Greens launch their air quality policy by highlighting one of Dublin’s “air quality blackspots” - the corner of Pearse Street and Tara Street.

The Social Democrats will announce their health policy in Dublin.

Our #GE2020 coverage

We have a dedicated section on our website devoted to all things election.

We will also have a daily Election 2020 political blog to give you live coverage - written, audio, video and social media - of the campaign as it happens. If you see anything that might be worth noting (especially if it's quirky) you can contact Harry McGee via Twitter @harrymcgee or at hmcgee@irishtimes.com.

We will also have a daily Inside Politics podcast, hosted by Hugh Linehan, that will give you analysis each day from our award-winning team.