Sinn Féin spokesperson on Finance has challenged Minister Jack Chambers to come clean and publish Fianna Fáil’s proposed tax hikes.

He made his remarks after both appeared on an RTÉ radio debate today where Doherty put it to Minister Chambers that Fianna Fáil are not being honest with people about the tax increases they are planning.

He added that with just five days left before people go to the polls, it was very important that Jack Chambers and Fianna Fáil come clean with the people on this crucial issue.

Pearse Doherty said:

“People out there need to understand that if they vote for Fianna Fáil or Fine Gael in this election, that they will be voting to increase the cost of diesel by at least another 12 cent per litre.

“Fianna Fáil have presented a €1.57bn tax package, and with five days to go before the election, they still haven’t explained to voters, who are being hammered by the cost of living crisis, which taxes they are going to increase to raise this money.

“Today, I challenged Jack Chambers on this. He initially and ludicrously attempted to claim that he would do this through raising tax on cigarettes. This is nonsense.

“I explained to the Minister that to raise such an amount through taxes on cigarettes, he would have to raise the price of a packet of cigarettes by another €20 on top of what they already cost now. That could mean a pack of cigarettes costing up to €36.

“Jack Chambers then quickly changed tack and said it would be raised through carbon taxes.

“However, an increase in carbon taxes has already been legislated for up to 2030.

“That will not bring in additional money that the government can spend. It’s already factored into the budgetary package.

“You can’t spend that money twice – unless Jack Chambers is planning to double the tax increase – from 12 cent on a litre of diesel to 24 cent a litre.

“Fianna Fáil needs to come clean now. They need to be honest with the public on what additional taxes they are planning to increase over the next number of years to raise the €1.5bn of taxes included in their manifesto.

“The fact of the matter is that Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael in government will impose punitive tax measures on hard-working people who are already at the pin of their collar trying to make ends meet. That is not good enough and it’s not what people want.”