It would be impossible for Sinn Féin to raise €1 billion in their new ‘wealth tax’ without it impacting on farming land and the 4,000 farmers in Co Monaghan, according to local Fianna Fáil TD Margaret Conlon.

 Deputy Conlon explained, “The centre-piece of Sinn Féin’s election policy is a massive wealth tax to raise €1 billion and there is no realistic way of raising this without it impacting on farming communities.” 

 “On the one hand Sinn Féin’s Pearse Doherty has said that it won’t affect farmers, yet on radio during this election he said it would be levied on ‘citizens’ from ‘all sections’ of Irish society. Farmers are part of Irish society too.”

“All sensible commentators agree that Sinn Féin’s proposal would be a tax on initiative and enterprise that would lead to a ‘flight of funds’ from Ireland. Who would be left to tax? This billion has to come from somewhere and after the publicans, shop-keepers and local businesses the only people left to make up the gaping shortfall in Sinn Féin’s ludicrous plan are the ordinary farmers of Ireland.”

Deputy Conlon added, “Anyone who thinks that Sinn Féin understands rural Ireland should ask who exactly Pearse Doherty is referring to when he refers to a wealth tax on citizens from all sections of Irish society?”