Martin: Hayes comments on pensioners 'careless'

Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin has today said that the recent remarks by Junior Finance Minister Brian Hayes, suggesting that some elderly people be taxed more, had been "careless".

He said the Minister’s claims flew in the face of warnings from the Tánaiste last week against “kite flying” ahead of the Budget and added that Ms Burton had been clearly irritated by them.

“I think his language was careless, uncertain,” said Mr Martin as he launched the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party meeting in north Dublin.

“Fairness will demand that those on higher incomes, irrespective of what category of society they belong to or what age demographic they belong to, will pay unfortunately a bit more than those who are on the breadline.”

Mr Martin said he accepted those with more money will pay more but insisted targeting a specific group was unfair.

“I do not believe that we should target a group of people such as the elderly or pensioners and say ’they’re rolling in it and we should have a go’, which is in essence what Brian Hayes was saying,” he added.

His fellow opposition leader Gerry Adams would not be drawn on Mr Hayes’ comments, saying he had no interest in them.

The Sinn Féin president said his party’s main interest was to tax the wealthy.

“Our general proposition is those who can pay most, should pay most,” he said.

He also criticised the Government’s plans for a value-based property tax, saying low and middle-income households had suffered enough with spending cuts and tax hikes.

The Co Louth TD, who was launching a Sinn Féin think-in, also in north Dublin, said a wealth tax could shore up €800m.

He added that it would be “fairer” and “more equitable” than the Government’s property tax, which will come into effect in July 2013.