Wicklow Sinn Féin TD John Brady has outlined a series of proposals that he and his colleagues in Sinn Féin have committed to introducing if elected to government in response to the cost-of-living crisis. He said that his party would introduce a mini budget within the first 100 days of the election. Which would include the scrapping of the USC on the first €45,000 earnings, delivering on a 9% VAT Rate for businesses, including cafes, restaurants, and hairdressers. Along with introducing €10 a day childcare, abolishing the property tax, and abolishing college fees.
Brady said:
“It is clear from my conversations with the people I am meeting on the doors, and from evidence across the country that the cost-of-living crisis is far from over.
Ireland under a Fine Gael, and Fianna Fail government is one of the most expensive countries in Europe. With only Denmark ahead. Price averages here are running at 43% higher than the EU average.
The government is attempting to tell us that inflation has fallen. When the reality is that the rate of inflation has slowed, there has been no reversal in the unchecked price gouging that inflation precipitated. Prices are still extortionate.
Ordinary workers and families are struggling with the weight of these additional cost, which are hitting them across the board. Food prices are now 29% more expensive than they were at the time of the 2020 general election.
And not only are food prices going up, but the size of the product we are buying is shrinking – shrinkflation, and the ingredients that are being put into food products is less than it was – skimpflation.
So, we are paying more for less, and quality is now less than we are used to. This is just scandalous.
Energy costs have risen between 70% to 80% since the Russian invasion of Ukraine. We have the most expensive diesel in Europe here in Ireland – which is inflated by 5 separate government levies.
The cost of motor insurance has risen for 14 months in a row! It is now running at an incredible 15 times the rate of inflation. How can this be so? Why is nothing being done to put an end to this madness!
House insurance has also gone up 7% to 8%. Others have faced health insurance increases of between 10% and 25% depending on your policy.
I’m afraid to list the rent and mortgage increases in case it pushes people over the edge completely.
This is what Fine Gael and Fianna Fail have delivered for the workers and families of this state.
Fine Gael has had 14 years to address the problems of the state – the evidence is clear – they have failed.
Sinn Féin has never been in government, but we have a plan to govern. A plan that places the needs and interests of the people of Wicklow and other parts of the country foremost.
We will introduce a mini budget within the first 100 days of the election, which will include a scraping of the USC on the first €45,000 earnings, we deliver on a 9% VAT Rate for businesses, including cafes, restaurants, and hairdressers, we will introduce childcare at €10 a day, along with abolishing the property tax, and college fees.” ENDs