Sinn Fein TD Pearse Doherty puts up a poster outside Dail Eireann today
Sinn Fein are to host a series of public meetings across Donegal in opposition ot the budget.
Speaking today after Budget 2013 has been presented to the Dáil, Sinn Féin Deputies Pearse Doherty and Pádraig MacLochlainn said they want the public to know exactly what it means for them.
“Over the weekend we will be addressing public meetings across this County in Letterkenny, Dungloe, Donegal Town, Ballybofey and Buncrana to allow people to hear first hand what this Budget means for them and their families and to mobilise opposition to the hugely unfair tax on the family home.
“This Government has little to be proud of today. They have presented to us a Budget, which again reaches into the pockets of lower and middle income earners while protecting those on higher incomes. This budget is anti-children, anti-family and anti-jobs.
“The Fine Gael and Labour Government has stooped to new lows with the regressive tax on the home – a tax which punishes working families and young couples in negative equity, a tax which takes no account of the ability of people to pay, a tax which will see those who cannot afford to pay chased to the grave by the Government and charged interest for the luxury.
“We realise that it is not enough to simply oppose this tax, to speak empty words or to lead people up the garden path; credible, workable and fair alternatives need to be put forward. In our pre budget submission our party showed clearly that this Government had a choice. Sinn Féin put forward those alternatives,” said the Deputies.
Sinn Fein added that a wealth tax of 1% on those with a net wealth of over €1 million, such as that proposed by themsleves, would generate up to €800 million.
“Such a measure is in place in other countries such as France, Spain and Iceland. We have published Wealth Tax Legislation and intend to bring it before the Dáil at the earliest opportunity.
“Today it is yet again proven that this Government has not listened to the people; that it is detached from the realities faced by ordinary families. This campaign is an opportunity to send a clear message to this Government on behalf of the people of Donegal– Tax Wealth, not homes.”
The Deputies concluded “We are calling on individuals, community representatives and activists to attend their nearest meeting to demand fairness and make their voice heard on behalf of themselves and vulnerable members of their community.”
Public Meetings will be held in the following venues:
Friday 7th December Gallaghers Hotel, Letterkenny, 8pm
Saturday 8th December Ionad Timpeall Croine, Dungloe 8pm
Sunday 9th December Dom’s Pier 1, Donegal Town 7pm
Monday 10th December Villa Rose Hotel Ballybofey 8pm
Friday 14th December Inishowen Gateway Hotel, Buncrana 8pm.