Main parties involved in ‘scam’: SF

SINN FÉIN yesterday accused the main parties of a “scam” and denied they were chopping and changing their economic policies.

Launching its manifesto in Dublin, Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams confirmed that the party had dropped some of its taxation policies including higher rates of corporation tax and a 50% rate of income tax for those earning over €100,000.

Mr Adams, party Dáil leader Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin and Dublin MEP Mary Lou McDonald all defended the change of heart but would give no guarantee that this position would remain unchanged.

The party said that, if elected to government, it would launch a review of the tax system to make it more equitable and to ensure people with vast incomes paid their fair share.

Nor would the party lower taxes said Mr Ó Caoláin, arguing that the tax take at the moment is sufficient to pay for public services.

“The main establishment parties are involved in a scam,” said Mr Adams. “They are telling us they are going to get involved in tax cuts but you cannot on the one hand take money out of the economy while at the same time putting it into public services.”

He contended that other parties were proposing tax cuts on the basis of the wealth available. He said that Sinn Féin would not cut taxes, but would spend more on essential services.

The party has ambitious plans to provide universal health care at the point of entry, to provide an extra 3,000 hospital beds, to provide 70,000 social homes over the next five years, to reduce class sizes.

Mr Adams said there was potential for increased revenues by ensuring the super-rich paid their fair share and from non-tax income, including dividends from potential gas and oil finds off the Irish coast.

Among the other measures proposed are to actively pursue the return of Eircom, Aer Lingus and Irish Ferries to public ownership. It also opposes the privatisation of the ESB and other public sector companies.

The party argues a green paper on Irish unity should be delivered within one year and a minister for state to co-ordinate all-Ireland policies should be appointed.

Manifesto in brief

Compete Green Paper on Irish unity within one year.

Transition to universal public health system with free health care for all.

Deliver an extra 3,000 hospital beds.

Free medical cards for all under-18s.

70,000 new social housing units by 2012.

Universal pre-school for 3.5 hours daily for children aged three to five.

Immediately reduce class sizes for children under nine to a maximum of 20 pupils.

An all-Ireland economic plan.

Actively pursue returning Eircom, Aer Lingus and Irish Ferries to State ownership.

No increase or decrease in taxes.

Corporation tax rate of 12.5% for the whole of Ireland.