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Brendan Howlin has said he does not have a \u201cmagic number\u201d of D\u00e1il seats he is hoping to win to help rebuild Labour.<\/p>\nBrendan Howlin has said he does not have a \u201cmagic number\u201d of D\u00e1il seats he is hoping to win to help rebuild Labour.<\/p>\n
The party had seven seats and is running 31 candidates in 31 constituencies in Saturday\u2019s election.<\/p>\n
Mr Howlin said Labour has steered away from engaging in \u201cauction politics\u201d and accused other parties of fooling people by promising big tax giveaways as well as \u201cmassive public spending\u201d.<\/p>\n
Speaking at the National Print Museum in Dublin, Mr Howlin claimed only his party is prioritizing public investment in health and housing.<\/p>\n
Asked about his hopes of more Labour TDs being elected, Mr Howlin responded: \u201cFor us, having a Labour Party in existence that can shape the policy direction of our country is extremely important.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn terms of what numbers, what is a magic number, I don\u2019t have one in mind.<\/p>\n
\u201cThree days out from the poll, I\u2019ve never seen the electorate in flux the way it is now.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Labour leader also accused Fine Gael and Fianna F\u00e1il of following a market-driven agenda since 2016, adding those parties \u201cwant more of the same\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cBoth look to the private sector to solve public problems,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s not working and people know it. We need change.<\/p>\n
\u201cFine Gael, Fianna F\u00e1il and Sinn F\u00e9in are all engaging in auction politics.<\/p>\n
\u201cTrying to cut taxes and invest in services \u2013 you can\u2019t spend the same euro twice.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere is a real danger that, in a desperate bid for votes, these parties are going to weaken the public finances again, promise the earth and put us on the same road that led to the collapse of our country in 2008.\u201d<\/p>\n
He added: \u201cThe parties are saying if you want change, vote for the same, and that can\u2019t be.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe need a change that is honest and will impact on the lives of people.\u201d<\/p>\n
Referring to the thousands of early years educators, providers and parents who protested in Dublin, Mr Howlin said childcare costs \u201chave spiraled\u201d over the last four years.<\/p>\n
\u201cHighly qualified staff aren\u2019t given the pay they deserve,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen a community needs a school, we build it. Our argument is simple \u2013 when a community needs childcare the state should provide it, too.<\/p>\n
\u201cOn Saturday, the people will choose the direction that Ireland takes over the next five years. And there is a clear choice.\u201d<\/p>\n