Pearse Doherty (Donegal South West, Sinn Fein)

The 2% hike in VAT will see more businesses put under strain from diminishing consumer spending and more of them will go to the wall. The vicious cycle began by Fianna Fáil and the Green Party of relying on indirect taxation is being continued under the watch of the Government. Not only will this measure be tough for business and jobs, it will disproportionately affect lower income earners who pay more of their income in VAT. The €670 million it is stated this figure will bring in is less than what Sinn Féin proposes to bring in through a wealth tax. We propose to bring in €800 million.

The Government talks about tough choices, but it is not tough to go after a spending tax. It is tough to go after wealth, the vested interests and change the status quo. France has the luxury of wealthy individuals appealing to the government to tax them more, just to be patriotic. In Ireland the wealthiest in society stand behind the Government and ask for the most vulnerable to be taxed more and the Government acquiesces.

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