It's about taxing the rich, not taxing work - Kelly

A local Sinn Féin representative has renewed his call for the introduction of a wealth tax, claiming such a  tax would be a charge on those who could afford it and not something that would impede the creation of employment.  Responding to comments made by Jobs Minister Richard Bruton, Cllr Anthony Kelly said that the Minister was out of touch with reality and should explain himself to the 2200 Wexford unemployed who recently applied for 250 new positions.

Cllr Kelly said;

"Minister Bruton seems to be out of touch with reality.  The Minister has ruled out a tax on wealth by suggesting that it would impede the creation of new jobs.  He backed this up by revealing that the IDA created a little over 6000 jobs last year.  Does the Minister not realise that there are close to 20000 people out of work or in forced temporary employment in this county alone?  Does he realise that this state is suffering from an emigration crisis not seen since the famine?"

"Minister Bruton should explain his utopian talk to the 2200 Wexford people who turned up at the Opera House last week to apply for 250 new jobs.  The creation of these new jobs is greatly welcomed but we need more, far more than Minister Bruton and his government are capable of delivering."

"This government has hung its colours to the mast.  In the last two budgets they have protected the wealthy and, like Fianna Fail before them, have targeted the most vulnerable families in this state with extreme austerity.  Minister Bruton knows only too well that other nations tax their wealthy and it does not lead to the fabled flight of capital which we are constantly told will happen if the rich are asked to pay their share."

"Sinn Féin has consistently proposed making those who can afford to pay more to do so.  We favour the introduction of a 1% wealth tax on net assets over €1 million excluding working farmland, business assets, 20% of the family home and pension pots.  Such a tax would bring in €800 million per annum, would be progressive and would relieve the unbearable pressure on ordinary people."