‘Fine Gael forced to adopt Labour position on USC’ says Tánaiste Joan Burton

Tánaiste Joan Burton has risked sparking fresh tensions with Fine Gael by claiming Labour’s coalition partner has been forced to back-track into “adopting the Labour party position” on the universal social charge (USC).

The Labour leader made the claim as she hit out at whoever is causing separate tensions within her own party over the leaking of an internal poll outlining which TDs will lose their seats, saying the row does not help anyone.

In recent days, both Fine Gael and Labour have clashed over Taoiseach Enda Kenny’s plan to scrap USC for all households during the lifetime of the next government, should the coalition be re-elected.