Still no sign of Sinn Féin’s pre-budget submission

Fine Gael TD for Limerick, Patrick O’Donovan, has today (Tuesday) called on Sinn Féin to explain the delay in publishing their pre-budget submission. The party was due to make public its pre-budget submission today but postponed it at short notice without explanation.

“Sinn Féin have not had much luck with their pre-budget submissions; for three years in a row they have proposed to increase the higher rate of income tax by 7% and they have consistently failed to suggest measures that would make the necessary savings to support the economic recovery.

“I can understand Sinn Féin’s reluctance to reprint a pre-budget submission that is likely to be exposed, once again, as unrealistic and insufficient, but considering that the Deputy Leader, Mary Lou McDonald, said on RTÉ’s The Week in Politics programme, that it would be published today, I believe an explanation for the delay is needed.

“Are Sinn Féin struggling to come up with a way to cover the €6 billion black hole exposed yesterday by Minister Simon Harris? This Government has introduced €9.8 billion in saving measures over the past three Budgets but Sinn Féin’s proposals add up to just €4 billion in savings over the same period, leaving what is essentially a €6 billion black hole in their figures.

“Are they trying to come up with a way to find €850 million to accommodate for the costs associated with Irish Water? This is money that must be accounted for, since they have recently changed their position on water charges, but propose to keep Irish Water, therefore passing the running costs onto the tax payer.

“Or are Sinn Féin simply hoping that the closer they leave it to the Budget, the less likely it is that criticism will follow?

“Pre-budget submissions have not been Sinn Féin’s strong suit, but considering the document was expected today, I am calling on the party to explain the delay and tell us when we can expect it.”