Sinn Féin spokesperson on Finance, Pearse Doherty, has said that a Sinn Féin government will cut the cost of living for workers and families.

He said Sinn Féin will deliver long-term cuts in the cost of living by tackling the highest costs people face – housing, the cost of raising a family and the cost of energy and fuel.

Doherty reiterated that Minister for Finance Jack Chambers must explain the €1.57bn in Fianna Fáil’s proposed tax increases.

And he accused Fine Gael spokesperson on Finance, Paschal Donohoe, of chickening out of debating the economy after the Minister for Public Expenditure today pulled out of this evening’s Tonight Show.

Speaking as he set out the party’s package of proposals to deliver long-term reductions in the cost of living for workers and families, Pearse Doherty said:

“A Sinn Féin government will cut the cost of living for workers and families.

“We will deliver long-term cuts in the cost of living by tackling the highest costs people face – housing, the cost of raising a family and the cost of energy and fuel.

“The USC is a legacy of Fianna Fáil crashing the economy.

“It punishes those on low and middle incomes for the recklessness of the Fianna Fáil government that Mícheál Martin a decade and a half ago. We will abolish it on the first €45,000 earned and put this money back in your pocket.

“We will help those trying to raise a family by delivering affordable housing, increasing child benefit by €25 a month and abolishing student fees.

“We will lower your energy costs and cut the costs of running your car.

“Only a party on the side of ordinary people understands the pressures that are being experienced by those on low and middle incomes.

“Only a Sinn Féin-led government will take the necessary measures to cut the cost of living for workers and families.

“The cost of living is really important to people. It will be a key factor in people’s decision on Friday.

“Sinn Féin have clearly set out our plans.

“Meanwhile, Fianna Fáil are still refusing to explain the €1.57bn in tax increases.

“We know it’s not their carbon tax increases because they are already baked in, so Jack Chambers needs to come clean on

“Tonight, Fine Gael’s finance spokesperson Paschal Donohoe was supposed to turn up for the Tonight Show to debate the economy but we have learned today that he has chickened out.

“I call on Paschal Donohoe to come and debate me, so he can explain why he has failed the public over and over again on the issues of the cost of living.

“Turn up to tonight’s debate, Paschal, it is not acceptable that you have now chickened out twice.”

Sinn Féin’s proposals to cut the cost of living can be read here.