Joan Burton: SF opposed the USC, now they support it

The Tánaiste has criticised Sinn Féin's tax policy, saying they were one of the biggest opponents of the USC when it was introduced.

Sinn Féin now say they would largely keep the charge if elected to government.

The Labour leader said she did not believe Sinn Féin could lead a credible left-wing government.

Joan Burton said some of Gerry Adams' past pledges have disappeared in their current manifesto.

She said: "Sinn Féin campaigned with leaflets and posters that the absolutely worst tax in this country that had been introduced by Fianna Fáil, was the USC.

"And now those posters and cards, which were sent in their tens and thousands to the Labour Party, have vanished - they've just been edited out, as Sinn Féin tend to do."

Ms Burton said the options were "not there" for a credible left wing government. She earlier said that a Fine Gael - Fianna Fáil coalition would be too right wing.

The Labour leader said she believed the only option for stability was returning the current government.

"We have a whole series of populist, and supposedly left-wing politicians - what they all shy away from is any kind of decision-making."