Left-wing TDs vow to tax millionaires if in government

Left-wing TDs and election candidates have promised to increase the tax on millionaires and hike the corporation tax rate to 15% if they enter government.

The joint Anti Austerity Alliance and People Before Profit platform also said they would be willing to talk to Sinn Féin about supporting them in government after the election, depending on their policies.

Launching common principles in Dublin yesterday, the parties said they were offering “radical alternatives” and would run 31 candidates in the election.

People Before Profit TD Richard Boyd Barrett confirmed the joint platform is willing to hold talks with Sinn Féin about forming a government, depending on what policies it would offer.

Both parties would not say if they would support Sinn Féin’s Gerry Adams for taoiseach, however.

They would oppose and vote against Fine Gael, Fianna Fáil, and Labour for government in a Dáil vote.

“We are willing to talk to anybody who is willing to clearly stick with progressive anti-austerity policies, and obviously Sinn Féin are talking about those things,” said Mr Boyd Barrett.

Anti Austerity Alliance TD Paul Murphy said elected TDs under the joint platform would talk to anybody promoting a left-wing government.

However, both parties are split over encouraging voters to give their second or third votes to Sinn Féin.

The Anti Austerity Alliance is not encouraging transfers to Sinn Féin while People Before Profit is, the launch was told.

The parties are running 31 candidates, including in constituencies outside of Dublin, such as Mick Barry in Cork North Central and Cian Prendeville in Limerick.

Mr Boyd Barrett said the parties would consider raising the corporation tax from the current 12.5% to 15% if put in government.

Furthermore, the left-wing coalition would introduce a special tax on millionaires, or a wealth tax, as well as a third rate of income tax targeting those earning over €100,000 a year.

These measures, coupled with a financial transaction tax, would raise in excess of €2.5bn, the parties said, based on figures supplied by the Department of Finance.