Family home tax should be repealed - O' Súilleabháin

A local Sinn Féin rep has said that his party would repeal the property tax if in government.  Speaking at a public meeting on the tax in Gorey last Monday night, Fionntán O' Súilleabháin said that Sinn Féin would rightly repeal the unpopular bill and had legislation to such affect ready to bring before the Dail in the Summer. 

Mr O' Súilleabháin said;

"This week letters are being issued to homes across this county demanding payment of yet another austerity tax.  Once again under pressure families are to be taxed on their homes.  The sending out of this letter will put added pressure and stress on families that are already at breaking point."

"180,000 mortgage holders are in distress in this state at the moment.  1.8 million people are left with €100 or less at the end of the month after essential bills are paid.  How is it conceivable for our government to introduce another tax on the family home during a crisis like this?"

"Sinn Féin will bring forward a bill which would repeal the Family Home Tax later this year.  It is essential that all elected politicians who truly claim to be representatives of the Irish people reflect on what hardship these demanding letters and the property tax will have on ordinary families.  Its time they put these families first and support our repeal bill and the campaign to have the property tax resigned to the history books where it belongs."

"There are real alternatives to the property tax.  Sinn Féin has proposed a wealth tax on assets over €1million.  This would bring in at least as much as this family home tax but would be targeted at those who can afford it. It would be fair and progressive and would not force more family homes into mortgage distress as the property tax would."