BUDGET 2016: Coalition accused of hiding €300m ‘tax hike’

Fianna Fáil has claimed the Government’s €595m budget income tax cut is, in reality, half the headline figure because of a hidden €300m “tax hike” only outlined in support documents.

Party leader Micheál Martin made the claim — which has been dismissed by the Department of Finance — during a lengthy Dáil debate on the Coalition’s last financial plan.

During a lengthy response to Taoiseach Enda Kenny and Tánaiste Joan Burton’s budget speeches, which saw him accuse the Coalition of reaching a “new level of cynicism”, Mr Martin claimed the major income tax cuts linked to the USC rate changes are not what they seem.