FF proposes tax on salty foods, prescriptions charge
Fianna Fáil has proposed a number of new taxes in an alternative budget - but says it would not introduce a property tax.
The party said it would:
- Tax salty and sugary foods;
- Put a 10% levy on all off-licence sales;
- Add €.75c to the cost of a bottle of wine;
- Increase DIRT tax to encourage people to spend their savings;
- Increase some motor tax rates;
- Regulate the price of cigarettes;
- Make medical card holders pay €1.50 for prescriptions.
Fianna Fáil said the party would also introduce free GP care for every child born next year and increase the Universal Social Charge on all income over €100,000, and would not introduce a property tax.
Finance spokesman Michael McGrath said their "reasonable, fair, progressive" proposals were fair to all income earners.
"Once people believe those priciples have been followed in a Budget, they will accept it a little bit better than they will if they believe the person on low and middle income is again being screwed and the fella at the top end is getting off scott free," he said.
