We WILL scrap the Property Tax, pledges Pearse Doherty

‘This tax was signed off on by Fianna Fáil and has been taken up by Fine Gael and Labour’ – Pearse Doherty TD

PEARSE DOHERTY says that Sinn Féin WILL repeal the Fine Gael/Labour Party Local Property Tax as a priority if it is in Government after the next general election. The Donegal TD and Sinn Féin Finance spokesperson made the commitment at the formal launch in Dublin by Sinn Féin on 25 March of the Finance (Local Property Tax Repeal) Bill.

Alongside Pearse Doherty was party President Gerry Adams TD, Mary Lou McDonald TD and Sinn Féin’s Darren O’Rourke, the by-election candidate in Meath East. Pearse said what Sinn Féin calls the ‘Family Home Tax’ will hit many families already struggling to pay their mortgage and their daily bills.

Pearse Doherty said:

“Families who have borne the brunt of austerity budget after austerity budget under Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael/Labour need a break.

“This tax was signed off on by Fianna Fáil and has been taken up by the Fine Gael and Labour Government. There is a wide range of alternatives as Sinn Féin has consistently pointed out.”

At the launch, Pearse outlined some of those alternatives, costed by the Department of Finance. He added:

“The method of collection of this new tax is brutal. Those who are accepted as being unable to pay face a 4% penalty next year while those who can’t pay but are not recognised as being unable to pay face a 8% penalty. The Government will raid salaries, social welfare payments and pensions to extract this tax on the family home.

“We know the reality that one in four mortgages are in distress yet these same households who may be in negative equity and have paid stamp duty now face this extra tax. That is blatantly unfair.”

 “Sinn Féin in government will repeal this tax,” Pearse Doherty said. He added that the Bill would refund the tax paid by citizens for the year in which it is scrapped.

“We will continue to campaign across the state to win support for this Bill.”