Sinn Féin Finance Spokesperson Pearse Doherty has said the Family Home Tax will be “unsustainable for many” and shows the government is “out-of-touch with citizens and economic reality”.
Deputy Doherty insisted: “Today we saw the government rush through the second piece of legislation on the Family Home Tax. Once again their arrogance resulted in little or no debate on the most important issue facing many people.
“This cabinet with their large salaries will not feel the effect of this new tax but hundreds of thousands of others in mortgage arrears, unemployed or simply struggling month to month will feel it acutely. The government needs to get out of their comfortable seats and recognise this fact.
“This legislation is being rushed through without debate so that the Revenue Commissioners can post out letters of demand over the coming days. This is yet another bill on top of increases in motor tax and other direct and indirect taxes for many families. We know this government is hell-bent on taxing water as soon as possible too and the reality of cuts is clear to all after five years of austerity budgets. That is the reality this government must face up to.
“At some point this government must recognise that people are carrying a great burden which in many cases is unsustainable. This should be clear from the mortgage arrears crisis and the stagnant sky-high rates of unemployment and famine level emigration.
“We have shown how an alternative Wealth Tax would be a fairer alternative which would not dampen the domestic economy.
“Sinn Féin is the only party with a clear and consistent opposition to a Family Home Tax. This is an unfair tax which takes no regard to stamp duty paid, management fees or ability to pay in most cases. Sinn Féin is determined to see this tax repealed rather than simply tinkered with.”
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