1965 Election Fianna Fail Party (The Irish Press, March 17 1965)  People will back us all the way again: Taoiseach  Fianna Fail was going into the General Election campaign in the confident expectation of securing an emphatic endorsement far its national policies, said the Taoiseach, Mr. Lemass, at a general meeting of party member=_: in the Dublin SouthCentral Constituency, at the Central Hotel, Dublin, last night.  Mr. Lemass said they were also confident of an effective Dail majority which would give the assurance of five years of uninterrupted work: in the carrying out of all the plans for progress which had been prepared, and which were either now coming inter operation or were awaiting the passage of the necessary legislation by the Dail.  He added: "While expressing confidence in the outcome of this general election, we have no illusions about the difficulty of winning a clear working majority in the Dail under the P.R. system. It means that more than 50 per cent of the voters in every constituency must give their first preference votes to Fianna Fail candidates, and that of thane who, far local or personal reasons, give their first preference votes elsewhere, many must give their second and subsequent preferences to Fianna Fail candidates. We did not succeed in getting a working Fianna Fail majority in the Dail at the general election of 1961 and the conditions for our success seemed then to be at least as favourable as they are now.  “A dynamic of progress has been set up in these past few years which must be maintained. Giving myself the normal expectation of life and health, the next bail if it goes its full term may well be the last in which I will lead Fianna Fail, and it is my personal ambition, before the time comes far me to stand aside, to have helped to put the national progress going as strongly forward that it can never again be seriously retarded much less reversed.  Guiding fines  "It is my purpose in this address to sketch the guiding lines of our policy for the new bail. The plans which we have prepared for national development will be elaborated, by all the usual means, during the course of the election campaign. We will present to the public a full programme far national advancement, and sect; a specific mandate far its completion in detail. We are not promising that during the next Dail all national problems will be solved, although some of them will be. We are presenting ourselves as a government and a party whose plans are ready, whale minds are clear as to what can be done, and who have the determination, the capacity and the unity to do what we say.  "We will not alt: any voter to support our party because of our achievements in the past. The record of the past is there far all to see, but we do not approach the general election on the basis that there are reasons of gratitude whereby we are entitled to support. This does not enter into our thinking. Our concern is solely with the future, and it is only the future which alone should concern the voter:. Do they see Ireland with a better and brighter future under a Fianna Fail Government than under any other government? We expect their support because we have a complete, coherent and practical programme  achievement during the lifetime of the new Dail.  Expansion  The Taoiseach said the primary purpose of the Fianna Government after the General Election, would be to maintain, and if possible to speed up, the impetus of the present drive far economic expansion, embracing all the activities which could contribute to the national wealth, and open still wider opportunities of employment, including agriculture and industry, tourism, fisheries, afforestatian and commercial operations of all kinds. The realisation of every national aim depended on maintaining the country's economic progress.  The overall rate of national economic growth now up was far greater than was ewer previously experienced Irish history, and rarely achieved in the history of other country. It would not, however, continue of its any own accord. There must be a positive decision by a substantial majority of the Irish people that they wanted it to go tin and were prepared to support it. They in Fianna Fail had confidence in their capacity to sustain it, and to secure for the Irish people the benefits it foreshadowed in rising living standards, increased employment, reduced emigration and greater racial security.  The basic aim and purpose of all their economic plans, and all their work far national economic progress was to improve the living conditions of all Irish people. Their intention in the future as in the past was to take every possible step to ensure that the benefits of economic expansion were fairly reflected in better living far all sections and individuals. Particularly it would be their policy to have the manner in which this purpose was realised, in relation to the conditions of employment of workers, arranged by the process of free negotiation, preferably an a nationwide basis.  Dangerous  Mr. Lemass went an to say: "We reject, as unsuitable far Irish conditions, and dangerous in any conditions, the idea that the nation's progress requires the regimentation of the national life by the Government, or by any authority set up by the Government, operating an apparatus of Government controls. We believe that freedom warts best, arc in a system of democracy in which all men and their vocational organisations are free to act in their own interests, and are entitled to the assumption that they will act responsibly.  "It is our belief that the future progress of this country can best be realised within the European Economic Community, and it is our intention to pursue our aim of securing membership at the earliest opportunity that circumstances so allow. In the meantime, we hope to complete satisfactorily the discussions now in progress far new trade agreements and arrangements with other countriesa particularly with Britain, to ensure that adequate market opportunities will be available far the higher outputs of agriculture and industry which are now being organised. In everincreasing degree, year after year, Ireland's economic development requires expanding export markets, and this fact is the primary consideration which must determine the character of our external policy.  "International. conditions which can affect our external trade have become difficult and may became still more difficult during this year, and they will require the mast careful and competent conduct of our affairs by the Government which the new Dail will elect.  Small farms  "We regard the reorganisation of agriculture in ail the smallfarm areas of the western counties, and the setting up of additional economic activities there, as a matter of first priority. Our purpose is to bring about the elimination of what is now accepted as the major .racial problem of our time persisting in thane smallfarm areas. This will require a substantial and wellplanned programme of productive investment in thane areas. There are arrangements already made and announced far the tackling this problem in a comprehensive ways but there are many ideas yet to be tried out. It is our intention to wary the closest caoperation with all those in  counties who are genuinely interested in facing task: in an intelligent and practical way and, western agriculture is concerned, to base our planes primarily on the extension of caoperation small farmers of these counties.  "The problem of too many small farms„ which are not large enough or goad enough to yield adequate livelihoods are of new in the western up to this so far as development amongst the for their hardworking owners, is not confined to western countries, although it is most acute there. With the powers secured for the Land Commission by the new Land Act, and in accord with the comprehensive approach to this problem which has already been made known, we hope, in the next five years, to make significant progress in our aim to provide new deal for the small farmer, and to build u p an agricultural structure which will facilitate a still further increase in agricultural output as well as yielding better living for all farmers. "The aims of keeping the incomes of all farmers rising steadily in line with those of the nonagricultural elements of al community, through increased production and a continuing growth of efficiency, has been helped by the significant progress made in 1964 and we are now confident that this improvement can be maintained during the taming year. The extension of government aids to better production in farming, and price support arrangements pending Ireland's membership of the European Economic Community, is integral part of our policy, and notwithstanding its significance in relation to taxation, is fully justified by the resulting national advantages. As in every other economic sector, it is our intention to develop our polity in closest consultation, and we hope agreement, with representative farmer's organisations.  “There will be a comprehensive housing measure ready for the new fail when it reassembles, based on the White Paper already published, which will represent our plans for the final elimination of all slums, urban and rural, and of unsatisfactory housing conditions in every area of the country. The extension of the capacity of the building industry, which will require a considerable number of additional permanent workers during the next few years, will unable the nation to keep up this hauling drive while at the same time completing the extensive plans now in preparation for new factories, schools, hospitals and commercial buildings.  Education  "The overhaul of the nation's educational system,, including the considerable extension and improvement of facilities for secondary, vocational and higher education is now about to be undertaken. The investigations in depth which were a necessary first step to drawing up comprehensive and longterm plans for action in these education fields are ail but completed, and in this sphere will lie same of the main measures coming to the new Dail. The completion of the programme for the reconstruction of outofdate and unsuitable primary schools is intended d!!rind the life of the new Dail.  "Plans for the restoration of Irish have now been completed and published. They have won wide approval, a,!d will be pursued with all possible dedication and energy.  "the. whole purpose of economic growth is to achieve racial betterment. This viewpoint has determined the character. Scope of Fianna Fail policy from the beginning. In the field of social welfare services there is a great deal yet to be accomplished, and the intention of Fianna Fail, which was carried iota effect in all recent years, is to allocate an increasing proportion of the rising national resources to the extension and improvement of all our social welfare arrangements. A significant improvement of these services is an integral part of our programme far the new Dail. Every new social welfare service in this country was a Hanna Fail initiatives and this is the best guide to and assurance of our intentions in this field."  Ground rents  Mr. Lemass acid that legislation was being drafted for the fulfilment of the recommendations in the Report of the Commission on ground Rents, and would, it is hoped, be enacted before the summer.  He added "goring this year it is intended to begin the development of what is described as a manpower policy and to set up a State authority to administer it. This manpower policy will include arrangements for compensating workers rendered redundant by economic and technical changes, for the training and retraining of workers in new with estimates of the gnawing needs of Irish industry, for an overhaul of the present Employment Exchange service, and its substitution by a better system of placing workers in employment suited to their needs.  "While the main aim will be to bring .gabs to the workers, rather than move workers to the jobs, where movement of workers is necessary the expense and rehousing problems arising far individuals will be covered. It is my view that our conception of a manpower policy, and the functions of the authority which we will set up to administer it, will grow.rapidly in importance in future years and in their significance for the economic progress of the country."  Compensation  The Taoiseach said it warm intended to legislate for the establishment of a comprehensive Mate scheme of industrial accident compensation, to replace the new obsolete Workmen's Compensation arrangements. The legislation for this purpose way in course of preparation.  Continuing, he aside "We will continue to give full and practical support to the United Nations in all its peacekeeping operations and in all its humanitarian endeavours. The rising prestige of Ireland in international councils, hand our participation in many worldwide activities which are benefiting mankind, and helping to maintain the peace of the world, on which all. our hopes de:;.;:::_.:'_ is the outcome of the policies which the Fianna Fail Government have developed and pursued with persistence during recent years.  "The new initiative in regard to relations with the NorthEast will be maintained in the confident belief that it will contribute to our aim of reestablishing the old historic unity of our country.  "When the 13th Dail meets it will have„ as its first main business after the nomination of the Government, the budget for the coming financial year. While it is still too early to measure with any precision the anticipated expansion of revenue to be expected because of further economic progress in the coming financial year, it seems probable that it will be considerable enough to avoid, with something of a squeeze and very good management, any undue addition to the burden of taxation, provided no further expenditure ewer and above that already announced is undertaken, and provided that all planned expenditure is arranged on the mast economical basis. The character of the Budget therefore can not be dealt with until it has been decided what, if any, further expenditure should be undertaken in this year, having regard to the general desire to see improvements in racial welfare services and other aspects of Government activity."  Taxation  While emphasising that further extensions of Government. spending an these purposes mast be covered by taxation, the aim of the Fianna Fail Government would be to keep the level of taxation in accord with the forecasts in the Second Programme.  Said Mr. Lemass: "The apposition to the Turnover Tao.„ which wow so vocal last year, appears to be dying out. Even the opposition parties have been forced to accept that it is operating satisfactorily and is yielding an important part of Government revenue which could not be replaced by any other taxation system. It would not be wise now to disturb it or to change it. Certainly no need to increase the rate of this tax is seen to arise.  "We recognise that improvements in the Health Services are weeded, and it is our intention to bring these about in accord with a realistic programme of development and in a manner which will confine the cast falling an the Exchequer and the local. rates within tolerable limits, although I should make it dear that we are not attracted by the idea of a pall tax to pay for these services, as has been proposed.  Local rates  "We believe that a recasting of the methods of paying for local services, and the institution of alternative sources of funds for local authorities so as to reduce the impact of local rates has became a matter of urgent importance. We do not seed: to minimise the difficulty of finding workable solutions to this problems and the enquiries and examinations which we have initiated have not yet been completed. This however, is becoming an increasingly important aspect of financial policy and is another matter with which the new Bail will be asked to deal.  Plans are reedy for the extension and improvement of transport services by land, sea and air; for the development of the telephone services, internal and external; for the extension of electricity generation„ and the completion of the rural. electrification scheme; for the extension of piped water supplies in rural areas; for the implementation of the measures already published for the economic development of the Gaeltacht areas; and for almost every aspect of :Government activity which can contribute to the nation's advance. When plans are not yet complete they are in active preparation.  "Never, in they history of politics in any country, did any Government bring to the people at a General Election more comprehensive, more realistic, more ambitious programme far their endorsement and support or with a stronger record of actual achievements to justify our confidence in completing it. It is by this programme, carried out by a united and competent Fianna Fail Governments that the future of Ireland can be made secure."