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Sinn Féin promises tax cuts and committee to examine United Ireland in GE2020 manifesto

Sinn Féin has promised billions of euro of tax cuts and a committee to examine a United Ireland ...
Stephen McNeice
Stephen McNeice

15.53 28 Jan 2020


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Sinn Féin promises tax cuts an...

Sinn Féin promises tax cuts and committee to examine United Ireland in GE2020 manifesto

Stephen McNeice
Stephen McNeice

15.53 28 Jan 2020


Share this article


Sinn Féin has promised billions of euro of tax cuts and a committee to examine a United Ireland in its election manifesto.

The party wants to scrap the USC on the first €30,000 someone earns, to get rid of the property tax and end fees for third-level education.

It says it will raise the money needed through extra tax on banks, multinationals and those earning more than €100,000 a year.

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Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald has also said meaningful steps towards a United Ireland would be a pre-requisite for them entering government.

Speaking at the party's manifesto launch today, she said: "I wouldn't even describe it as a Sinn Féin red line - this is an absolute necessity.

"I think whoever is in government, the reality is that change is afoot.

"Brexit in many respects has accelerated this conversation, and it is irresponsible - in fact I think it's reckless at this stage - not to plan."

Manifesto

In their manifesto, Sinn Féin says its proposals would see any taxpayers earning under €100,000 having a decrease in their tax of up to €700 a year.

The party has pledged what they have described as the "biggest public housing programme in this states' history" - 100,000 homes over five years, in a mix of council and affordable housing.

If in government, Sinn Féin says it would set a date for the ending of long term homelessness and rough sleeping in consultation with local authorities and homeless charities - with a date to be picked within months of entering government.

They're also proposing measures to cut rents by up to €1,500 a year, before freezing them at the lower rate for three years.

Sinn Féin's manifesto proposes stopping the pension age increase to 67 and returning it to 65, and also abolishing the Universal Social Charge (USC) on the first €30,000 people earn.

They're pledging to reduce the cost of childcare by an average of €500 per month per child, as well as extending paid maternity leave to 52 weeks and increasing maternity benefit by €50.

In terms of Irish unity, the party says it will publish a White Paper on the subject and establish a Joint Oireachtas Committee focusing on it.

They would then aim to "secure a referendum, north and south, on Irish unity".

The party states that their measures have all been costed and that in government they would hope to have a surplus of more than €3 billion.

You can read the full manifesto on the Sinn Féin website.

Main image: (l to r) Sinn Féin's Pearse Doherty, Mary Lou McDonald and Eoin Ó Broin at today's manifesto launch. Image: Sean Defoe

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GE2020 Manifesto Mary Lou McDonald Sinn Fein

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