We will tax millionaires, say left-wing candidates

The joint Anti-Austerity Alliance and People Before Profit platform also said they would be willing to support a Sinn Féin government after the election, depending on their policies.

.@RBoydBarrett on FGs ideological drive supported by Labour to privatise health, housing, education and water #GE16 pic.twitter.com/cCxo4kBXid

— People Before Profit (@pb4p) January 25, 2016

Launching common principles in Dublin yesterday, the two parties said they were offering "radical alternatives" and would run 31 candidates in the election-the date for which is expected to be announced next week.

People Before Profit TD Richard Boyd Barrett confirmed that the joint platform would support Sinn Féin in government, depending on what policies they would offer during the election campaign.

Both parties would not say if they would support Sinn Féin’s Gerry Adams for Taoiseach.

However, they said they would oppose and vote against Fine Gael, Fianna Fáil and Labour for Government in a Dáil vote.

"We want to reverse all of the unfair austerity and have major public investment to create jobs" @RBoydBarrett pic.twitter.com/oo0F1cJFb0

— People Before Profit (@pb4p) January 25, 2016

The two parties are running 31 candidates, including in constituencies outside of Dublin, such as Mick Barry in Cork North Central and Cian Prendeville in Limerick.

Mr Boyd-Barrett said the parties would consider raising corporation tax from the current level of 12.5% to 15% if put in Government.

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Furthermore, the left wing coalition would introduce a special tax on millionaires as well as a third rate income tax targeting those earning over €100,000 a year.

These measures, coupled with a financial transaction tax, would raise in excess of €2bn, the parties said.

The joint party platform also pledged to increase the minimum wage to a living wage level of €11.50 an hour.