Fine Gael launches General Election manifesto in Tipperary

Fine Gael launched their General Election manifesto this afternoon.

The launch event took place in the Horse and Jockey Hotel, Thurles.

Election candidate Cllr Michael Murphy opened the event by welcoming all in attendance to Tipperary, before welcoming onto the stage Taoiseach Simon Harris, Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform Paschal Donohoe, and Minister for Justice Helen McEntee on to the stage.

The Taoiseach noted that the party is heading in a new direction, addressing comments that the party is running many experienced candidates, as well as many new candidates, showing a balance of youth and experience.

He emphasised a desire to put more money back in the pockets of the working people of Ireland, and touched on schemes to help out children across Ireland, with savings accounts to be set up for children when they are born with €1,000 deposited into it, which will be ready to access once the child turns 18, as well as free GP access for all children up to 18.

He addressed once-off payment benefits, and stated that the double child benefit payment from August would become a permanent annual feature.

Regarding housing, the Taoiseach stated that Fine Gael aim to build two houses for every single house that was built throughout their 14-year tenure, in an aim to aid young people and first-time buyers.