McDonald launches progressive economic policy proposals

Sinn Féin Chair and Dublin Central election candidate Mary Lou McDonald hit back at Fianna Fáil's attack on Sinn Féin's economic policy by stating the that Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael, Labour and the PDs have all promised the electorate the impossible of massive tax cuts along with increased and improved public services. She also promised to 'close all the loopholes used by the wealthy to avoid paying tax.'

Quoted in the Irish Independent, McDonald said At manifesto launch 'It's about education, it's about ensuring that every child has a decent start in the education system. It's about ending poverty, it's also of course about developing the all-Ireland economy. It's about the peace process and it's about Irish unity.'

Sinn Fein is also challenging Labour strongholds with a new policy document on workers' rights - focusing on low-paid workers, migrant workers and workers threatened with outsourcing. At the launch of the document McDonald stated 'We reiterate our determination to stamp out exploitation of workers in Ireland and internationally and we commit to defending and extending social protections for all workers and pensioners and to replacing the current model of weak labour regulation and non-enforcement with comprehensive regulation and stringent enforcement.'

Recent FF rumours about Sinn Fein's tax policy reminded me of questions the Tory MP Quentin Davies recently put to Conor Murphy. When suggesting it was not feasible for the Six Counties to have a significantly higher corporation tax level than the south he put forward a very strong argument for re-unification! The only difference being he would advocate levelling the tax level down, I'd suggest the other way!