Harney targets tax as key election issue

TÁNAISTE Mary Harney has vowed to remove anyone earning the average industrial wage of €28,000 or less from the top tax rate of 42%.

Setting out the party's stall ahead of the local elections, the Progressive Democrat leader also reiterated the Government's commitment that minimum wage earners will be exempt from tax entirely and said workers will be protected from being dragged into the higher rate of tax as a result of wage increases.

With the PDs looking to double their number of seats from 30 to 60, Mr Harney has identified tax as a key election issue.