BUDGET 2016: ‘Tax food, scrap Water’ say opposition parties

A potential tax on all forms of junk food, the scrapping of Irish Water and a levy making AIB pay back funds given by the State to prop up the bank during the crash have been called for in opposition parties’ alternative budget plans.

The recently formed Social Democrats and left-wing People before Profit outlined the offers a day before the Government unveils what is in store for the public’s finances next year.

In separate press conferences yesterday, the last opposition parties to outline their plans said they believed a series of initiatives, other than those widely rumoured to be on the cards from the coalition, should be considered. And while issues such as the removal of Irish Water, a reduction in USC, increased funding in health and increased taxes to target lucrative corporate firms are detailed as expected, a large number of other proposals have also been offered.