Right then.
I'd like:
A dramatic increases in sentences for murder, manslaughter, rape, child abuse and internet child porn. And animal cruelty. (Check out the evidence that shows those who are cruel to animals, especially in their youth, 'progress' to child cruety and beyond. It's staggering).
An end to children's allowance and lone parents' payments, to be replaced by a voucher-type system that by-passes parents and ensures children are provided with the necessities in life, eg decent food, clothing, home utilities (electricity, heat, etc), school essentials, etc. Time to stop giving the parents the cash.
A greater effort to track down absent parents. When found an appropriate percentage of their earnings/social welfare should go towards the above, ie the necessities in life for their children. No need to make all the pathetic mistakes of Britain's CSA, it can be done, successfully.
A major, major effort to ensure that immigrant workers receive the same rights/protection/pay as 'native' workers. And yes Fianna Fail, that includes the construction industry.
Most importantly of all, a seismic effort to sort out our health system, whatever it takes - and if that includes higher tax, so be it.
A determination that our elderly will receive the very best of care, whatever it takes - again, if that includes higher tax, so be it. We owe them that much. This includes the provision of free care either in residential homes, which should be monitored on a weekly, not yearly, basis, or in a non-residential capacity, where those senior citizens who wish to remain in their own homes can do so, with the help of the state (ie constant care and attention, meals, etc).
Free everything for the over 70s - no tax on their earnings, free medical care (of the top class kind), etc. If they have worked and paid tax all their lives it's the least they deserve.
That's just for starters, will have a think about the rest of my manifesto.
