Responding to the publication of Fianna Fáil’s alternative budget today Sinn Féin Finance spokesperson Pearse Doherty has said it is not acceptable in 2013 that a party of opposition would produce an uncosted budget.
Deputy Doherty said €400 million of Fianna Fáil’s proposed tax measures are guess work while none of their savings measures are costed.
Speaking this afternoon he said: “Fianna Fáil’s budget alternative yet again goes after the low and middle income earners. Proposals such as sugar and salt taxes disproportionately target low and middle income families, while at the same time they’ve targeted up to 750,000 workers to pay more tax as a result of its proposal to standardise the tax relief available to employees under schedule E.
“That’s plumbers, barmen and women, cleaners, nurses, guards, teachers, and countless others all penalised by Fianna Fáil.
“Small and medium enterprise would be hit hard with Fianna Fáil’s proposal to cut €165 million in government spending on procurement out of the economy next year.
“Fianna Fáil’s budget alternative is uncosted. It’s not acceptable in 2013 that any party would produce a budget with so many uncosted measures. It disregards advice from the department that certain measures cannot be implemented.
“Surely the public deserve better than back of the envelope calculations. We all know where that gets us. Some €400 million of tax measures are guess work and estimates from Fianna Fáil while none of their savings measures are costed.
“This budget document is unacceptable for a serious party of opposition and shows that Fianna Fáil still cannot be trusted on the economy.”
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