Adams takes a dive to the right

national | politics / elections | opinion/analysis Sunday May 06, 2007 17:59 by Well, Well

Gerry Adams on RTE Radio 1 today - ditched practically the entire list of Sinn Fein tax proposals.

Gone is the proposal to raise corporation tax to 17.5%.

Adams said that the Sinn Fein Ard Chomhairle had 'trashed around the issues' and decided there was no need at this point to increase the corporation tax take.

Adams further said that Sinn Fein wants to increase supports for small indigenous industry 'to benefit those who have a stake in the country'.

'With the same amount of money we could sort out poverty and take all our children out of prefabs'.

Gone is the proposal to have a new tax band of 50% for incomes over €100,000. Adams claimed this was a pre-budget submission and not a policy.

Adams justified this by saying that Sinn Fein does not intend to increase the tax take on middle income earners.

Sinn Fein now want to reduce corporation tax in the North to the level in the South - so the same tax rate can apply on an all-Ireland basis.

When asked about what changes would he make in the tax system Adams said these things would be decided following the election depending on circumstances. He said 'you would have to cut your cloth'.

However, unlike Fianna Fail, Fine Gael, the PD's and Labour, Adams didn't give any committment to lowering the the tax rates from 20% to 18% or the higher rate from 41% to 40%.

When asked what changes would Sinn Fein make to the tax system for workers - Adams said 'we have no intention of increasing the tax take'.

He continued 'The big issue is how are the taxes that are raised used'

When it was put to him 'we need to know what the rates will be' Adams replied 'we don't need to know' - followed by 'I have answered the question so let's move on'

Adams said Sinn Fein would oppose changes in stamp duty but would increase mortgage relief.

Adams said Sinn Fein would try to use public money in a sensible way.

When asked what specific changes he would make to change the tax system - Adams called for the closing of tax-loopholes that allow millionaires not to pay take and said Sinn Fein would oppose the use of taxpayers money to fund private hospitals.

'This is an election about choices'

When asked what three changes would need to be made in order for Sinn Fein to go into government he said let the people decide first.

When pressed he listed
- pay the nurses
- no use of taxpayers money for private health
- children with special needs would get their entitlement
- expansion of the peace process and moving towards a united Ireland.

Sinn Fein clearly now are ready to ditch everything that could pose a problem when coalition negotiations come around.