McDowell outlines PD policy ahead of election

[David Cochrane]

Newly elected Progressive Democrats leader and Tánaiste Michael McDowell will today host his first parliamentary party meeting since taking over from Mary Harney last week.

Speaking this morning, Mr McDowell said his party would be announcing "radical new programmes" on taxation, energy and agriculture.

Mr McDowell said the PDs would try and introduce taxation measures that are about "getting more people out of the 40 per cent tax band".

He said his party would extend the 20 per cent [tax bracket] up to "€100,000 in income for the average family so that most people are out of top rate.

From Ireland.com's Breaking News.

Further coverage from RTE News.

[BarryW]

Mr McDowell said the PDs would try and introduce taxation measures that are about "getting more people out of the 40 per cent tax band"

Does McDowell think there is something new about this policy? They've promised it at the last 2 General elections and failed to deliver on both occasions

[KeithM]

Newly elected Progressive Democrats leader and Tánaiste Michael McDowell will today host his first parliamentary party meeting since taking over from Mary Harney last week.

Speaking this morning, Mr McDowell said his party would be announcing "radical new programmes" on taxation, energy and agriculture.

Mr McDowell said the PDs would try and introduce taxation measures that are about "getting more people out of the 40 per cent tax band".

He said his party would extend the 20 per cent [tax bracket] up to "€100,000 in income for the average family so that most people are out of top rate.

From Ireland.com's Breaking News.

Further coverage from RTE News.

I'm not sure there's anything new here in terms of taxation, their 40-40-20 initiative has been on their website for ages, but I would agree that it has received little attention. I wouldn't however describe it as "radical" (the new PD buzz-word)?

[FutureTaoiseach]

Mr McDowell said the PDs would try and introduce taxation measures that are about "getting more people out of the 40 per cent tax band"

Does McDowell think there is something new about this policy? They've promised it at the last 2 General elections and failed to deliver on both occasions

In Coalition govts parties always have to compromise and are not going to get everything their own way. However the plan to reduce the tax-rates to 40% and 20% has been fulfilled regarding the latter and almost for the former. A time-frame was not agreed between the 2 parties on the 40% promise, which was not in the FF manifesto. The best way to further the 40% demand then is to elect more PD candidates to strengthen their hand in negotiations for govt.

[BarryW]

They didn't deliver in 1997 or 2002........so 3rd time lucky is it?

[TheBear]

Also on this story, they may move to abolish stamp duty. The story is in the Irish Times.

[mjcoughlan]

They didn't deliver in 1997 or 2002........so 3rd time lucky is it?

In fairness, the PDs are the only party proposing income tax cuts who have a chance of implementing them. If FG was to propose income tax cuts, it might strain relations with Labour and the Greens somewhat. So FG is quite limited in what it can actually propose. I think the PDs are probably aiming to be the party in the best position after the next election to use their influence and campaign effectively for further tax cuts.

[rover]

I think the PDs are probably aiming to be the party in the best position after the next election to use their influence and campaign effectively for further tax cuts.

thats a laugh. the PDs have been in the last two Governments and couldn't deliver - and now on the verge of irrelevance they say they can deliver on it

[KeithM]

I think the PDs are probably aiming to be the party in the best position after the next election to use their influence and campaign effectively for further tax cuts.

thats a laugh. the PDs have been in the last two Governments and couldn't deliver - and now on the verge of irrelevance they say they can deliver on it

I think you need to dig out a wage slip from 1997 and compare it to a recent one and then calculate how much less you are paying.

[mjcoughlan]

I think the PDs are probably aiming to be the party in the best position after the next election to use their influence and campaign effectively for further tax cuts.

thats a laugh. the PDs have been in the last two Governments and couldn't deliver - and now on the verge of irrelevance they say they can deliver on it

There has indeed been tax cuts since 1997. What I think the PDs are saying now is that other parties, including FF, seem to think that tax is no longer an issue. And the only way to ensure further tax cuts is to increase in influence of the PDs in government by electing more of their candidates.