Sinn Féin Ard Fheis: Higher tax rate pledge as party defends US funding

Sinn Féin have pledged to introduce a third higher rate of tax as well as a wealth tax if put in power, as the party defended the millions of dollars in funding it has received from US business leaders.

Party finance spokesman Pearse Doherty told a packed hall in Derry at the weekend that his party would introduce new double-taxation measures which would target the wealthy.

His comments came as delegates also attacked Social Protection Minister Joan Burton, claiming she was the ‘minister for austerity’ and neglecting the lower paid.

Mr Doherty told his party’s ard fheis that a third rate of tax for those earning over €100,000 and a wealth tax would both be introduced if the party entered government. The party said it would set the wealth tax at 7%.

He also said his party would stop banks ‘bullying’ debt-ridden mortgage holders and remove their veto in debt settlement deals.

Deputy leader Mary Lou McDonald said SF was ready to enter government. On Friday, delegates voted not to support a Fine Gael or Fianna Fáil-led administration after the next election.

Ms McDonald said she was ready to debate with anybody, anywhere and at any time. She said RTÉ and TV3 had offered both her and Ms Burton a head-to-head live TV debate but the Tánaiste had “changed her mind”.

Ms Burton’s spokesman later said she debated economics with Ms McDonald every week in the Dáil and recently did a TV debate with SF leader Gerry Adams.

Mr Adams defended talks he had with business leaders after it emerged the party received €12m funding from the US in the last 20 years.

Greek deputy finance minister Euclid Tsakalotos received a standing ovation at the conference.

Syriza and Sinn Féin were “part of a great realignment in European politics,” he suggested.