Sinn Féin spokesperson in North Wexford, fionntán Ó Súillerabháin has slammed local politicians for voting down his partys bill in Leinster House during the week which if successful would have seen the governments property tax replaced by a wealth tax. He was speaking at a packed Sinn Féin function in the Fowler bar, Gorey on Friday night.
"This week Labours Brendan Howlin, Fine Gaels Paul Kehoe and their party colleagues voted against Sinn Féins Property Tax Repeal Bill which would have seen the hated home tax abolished and replaced by a wealth tax. This is despite the Labour party having challenged our party to come up with an alternative to the hated home tax.
The rich should be asked to pay more. Let us take Ryanair’s Michael O’Leary. Michael’s country manor in Co Westmeath, is reported to be valued between €150 - €200,000, this makes poor Michael liable pay €157 for this year.
The Sunday Times in October 2012 valued his net worth at €418.73 million making him the 20th richest person in Ireland. But he will be paying the same home tax as a pensioner, lone parent or someone on disability.
“The property tax, be it from Fianna Fail, Fine Gael or Labour punishes everyone equally, but those on lower income feel the pain a lot more that the super-rich like Michael O’Leary. That is why we have been gathering signatures for our proposal across County Wexford in recent weeks, postering and encouraging constituents to lobby their local politicians.
Sinn Féin has consistently argued for the introduction of a wealth tax. We believe that a 1% tax on net assets in excess of €1 million has the potential to yield up to €800 million. This is a real alternative to the unjust tax and we have committed that if we are in government after the next election we will repeal this tax"
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