In Saturday's speech, Pat Rabbitte made a dramatic move on tax committing Labour in Government to cut the standard rate of tax by 2% points in the first two years of Government.

Pat Rabbitte has once again ruled out a government with Fianna Fail.

Responding to questions from the Irish Independent on the issue Pat Rabbitte stated "I believe that when people come to focus on electing a Government an alternative to Fianna Fail and the PDs will be elected. As I have repeatedly said, I have no intention of convening a Special Conference to recommend going into government with Fianna Fail."

The questions and Pat's full answers can be read here on the Labour Party Blog.

Pat has posted his full replies on the party's website www.labour.ie as the Independent has run a story today "Rabbitte leaves door open for Ahern pact" This does seem to be a bit cheeky as the whole article is pinned on Pat Rabbitte's comment that he would take account of 'national interest' in the aftermath of the election.

It is cheeky because when you read his comment in full which was in response to this question posed by the Irish Independent "Would he [Pat Rabbitte] not have an obligation to do so, in the national interest, if the likely outcome otherwise was an early general election?"

To which Pat Rabbitte responded "Of course I will take into account the national interest as Labour has always done. It is the very nature of politics that there can be disagreement on what constitutes the national interest at any particular juncture. It is my conviction that the national interest is best served at this time by replacing Fianna Fail and the PDs in government."

This of course is not the same as leaving the door open for a deal with dirty Bertie, it is an acknowledgement that Pat Rabbitte will respect the electorate as the leader of Ireland's third political party. It would have been unacceptable for Pat Rabbitte to say he would not take into account the national interest in his post elections deliberations.

Labour Party membership is due for renewal and this is a good time for new members to join as we face into a General Election in May.

Labour under Pat Rabbitte are committed to bringing integrity back into government, committed to providing housing, tackling the scandal that is our health service and committed to ending the continued privatisation of public services.

Each new member will have a chance at helping bring about this change and at removing Fianna Fail and Progressive Democrats from power.

The litmus test for this government is "In ten years and given the billions at their disposal, has the government done a good job?" The answer is a definite "NO!"

The question will be asked of us on election day, by joining Labour you can help us in actually removing Bertie and Michael from power.

The Labour Party in Ireland stands for many things but its core principals are

Labour Chief Whip Emmet Stagg TD speaking in Westport recently committed the Labour Party to reversing the proposals of the Minister for Health Mary Harney to force the sale of the homes of old people in long term care.

Deputy Stagg was addressing the members and friends of the Westport Branch as part of the celebrations marking the 55 years of service to the Labour Party by Westport Party stalwart Michael Joe Lavelle.

Deputy Stagg said: “This is the latest is a series of attacks on the elderly by the PD/ FF government. Minister Harney proposes that the family home be included in the means of an old person in care and that the debt be collected after their death.

“This is enough to put the heart cross-ways in any older citizen who is feeling unwell and we should all remember that we will all reach that stage at some time.

“The Labour Party rejects any proposal to include the family home in any means test. It is not used in calculating means for any other services, be it medical cards, pensions, or third level grants.

“Labour in government will reverse this cruel decision that is causing widespread stress and worry to our elder citizens by excluding the family home from any means test and this one in particular.

“The state has a responsibility to our senior citizens, it was they who laid the foundations of the wealthy country we now enjoy; they paid for their homes in tough times and it is now entirely unacceptable that they would be forced to dispose of them to pay their medical costs. That decision must be reversed.

“As a society we will have to decide who is entitled to medical care and who is not and we will also have to decide how it is to be funded.

“It seems this question has largely been decided for the general population. No matter how rich one is, they can get full hospital treatment with specialists, surgeons and nurses for a maximum payment of €400 a year. However if you are old and sick you have to sell your house to do so. Labour will seek to end that cruel anomaly.

“I know that Labour’s Candidate in Mayo Harry Barrett is out there campaigning on this issue which is at the heart of people’s concerns and in this he has the full support of Westport’s Councillor Keith Martin. Harry and Keith are working hard every day on behalf of the people of Mayo and I trust the people of Mayo will give Harry Barrett their full support in the upcoming election. Mayo needs a Labour TD to fight its corner on this issue and of combating the decade of neglect that Mayo has endured at the hands of this government.”