Parties focus on housing, economy as campaign nears end
by Mícheál Lehane, https://www.facebook.com/rtenews/ · RTE.ieAs the General Election campaign enters its final few days, political parties are focusing on housing, the economy and healthcare.
Tomorrow, the leaders of Fianna Fáil, Sinn Féin and Fine Gael will participate in a key RTÉ debate ahead of voters going to the polls on Friday.
Fine Gael leader Simon Harris will today meet a number of small and medium businesses with his party focusing on the economy and the potential risks of a transatlantic shock hitting the country.
Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin will appear on RTÉ Radio 1's Morning Ireland programme before heading to Dublin Fingal West to canvass.
In the afternoon, he will join supporters on the campaign trail in Dublin Bay North.
Fianna Fáil will reiterate its promise to build 12,000 social houses and 10,000 affordable homes every year.
However, Sinn Féin is calling on the Minister for Housing to, in their words, "come clean" and release the latest homeless figures in advance of Friday's General Election.
Minister for Housing Darragh O'Brien is due to officially open new social homes on Sussex Street in Dún Laoghaire.
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald will be campaigning in her Dublin Central constituency and will be taking part in a number of radio and television interviews.
Ms McDonald will visit Deaf Village Ireland and an after-school programme on Sheriff Street.
The Social Democrats will publish its policy to provide greater supports for families while People Before Profit will outline its plan for universal free healthcare.
The Labour Party is launching its Dublin manifesto and the Green Party will announce details of the party's key priorities in the areas of arts and culture.
Aontú has vowed to keep the focus on accountability from government over what it terms the waste of tax payers' money.
Independent Ireland said that it will continue to highlight cost-of-living issues, housing and the challenges facing rural Ireland.
Additional reporting Evelyn O'Rourke, Tommy Meskill