THE new Independent Ireland party wants a Luas in every county, a nine per cent VAT rate for the hospitality sector and a new Department of Effeciency to crack down on Government waste.
Three formerly independent TDs in Michael Collins, Richard O’Donoghue and Michael Fitzmaurice came together to form the party, which elected 23 councillors and one MEP in the local and European elections earlier this year.
They are now targeting a number of Dail seats in next week’s general election in the hopes of forming part of the next coalition government.
While the party are against enforcing a whip system on their reps, they will use a whip to ensure their TDs vote for any programme of government they negotiate if they go into a coalition.
Independent Ireland today launched their manifesto and called for a series of measures.
They want a light rail system similar to the Luas in every county in the country with a commitment to carry out a feasibility study on expanding light rail into rural Ireland within the first two years in government.
They are calling for a nine per cent VAT rate for food and drink hospital businesses, an end to rises in carbon taxes and the abolition of UCS and PRSI contributions for pensioners that continue to work.
On immigration, the party want IPAS centres to follow the same planning rules as all other buildings and a new six month Irish history and culture course for people seeking permanent residency here.
The manifesto also calls for the creation of a Department of Efficiency and Reform to deliver 10 per cent savings on government spending over the term of the next government.
It comes after political parties clashed earlier this month when Fine Gael pledged to cut the VAT rate for the food-related hospitality sector to 11 per cent if returned to Government.
Rival parties told how the new FG election promise came just weeks after no change was implemented in the Budget.
Taoiseach Simon Harris set out his party’s plan for businesses at the start of a busy day of campaigning today, the day after formally announcing the election.
The VAT pledge comes just more than a month after the coalition Government chose not to – despite extensive lobbying from the sector.
The rate had previously been cut to nine per cent to support the hospitality sector during the pandemic before being restored to 13.5 per cent.
The industry had been calling for a nine per cent rate in the Budget announced on October 1, with an 11 per cent middle ground also floated.
However, no such cut was announced and the rate remained at 13.5 per cent – much to the disappointment of hospitality representatives.
Fine Gael is now planning to permanently reduce VAT on food-based hospitality, entertainment and hairdressing.
‘HOLLOW’ PROPOSAL
Harris said the new measures will provide certainty to businesses.
However, the parameters set out by Fine Gael means the hotels sector will miss out.
Adrian Cummins, of the Restaurants Association of Ireland welcomed the move, saying Fine Gael had listened to the concerns of food-led businesses.
He said: “It’s early days of the campaign but from a hospitality perspective what we are hearing is extremely positive and recognises our lobbying activity regarding a VAT reduction being key for stability in our industry.”
Labour leader Ivana Bacik fumed the proposal rang “hollow”, adding the Government had the opportunity to “make a difference for struggling business” in the the last Budget.
United Ireland referendums
REFERENDUMS on a united Ireland would be held on both sides of the border by the end of the decade if Sinn Fein are in government, Mary Lou McDonald has claimed.
The party launched its plan for reunification.
It includes giving MPs in the North the right to speak in the Oireachtas.
Leader McDonald said: “Partition has hurt Ireland politically and economically.
“It is time to prepare for a United Ireland.”
She said: “It is going to ring hollow for many small businesses to see Fine Gael now prospectively offering a cut in the VAT rate.”
Sinn Fein described the proposal as “laughable” and “half-baked”, adding that it was “too little, too late”.
SF leader Mary Lou McDonald accused Fine Gael of making up policy on the back of an envelope and said her party has already committed to reducing the hospitality VAT rate to 9 per cent.
