For Micheál Martin the ‘wrong time’ to introduce a property tax is when FF is in opposition

Fine Gael TD for Dublin North, Alan Farrell, has today (Wednesday) highlighted the blatantly populist stance being taken by Micheál Martin and Fianna Fáil in relation to the property tax.   Despite having signed up to the introduction of the property tax with the Troika, Fianna Fail is now opposing th e tax.

“Micheál Martin’s late conversion to an anti-property tax stance last autumn reeks of political opportunism. It is patently clear to me that for Mr Martin and Fianna Fáil, the right time to introduce a property tax is when Fianna Fáil is in Government and the wrong time is when Fianna Fáil is in opposition.

“Sometimes when faced with spin and bluster, we need to remind ourselves of the facts. The fact is that Fianna Fáil agreed to introduce the property tax with the Troika in December 2010. Micheál Martin was a senior cabinet member in that last Government and yet he is now trying to re-invent Fianna Fáil as an anti-property tax party.

“It is galling in the extreme to see Fianna Fáil try and take advantage of the pain that people are feeling as a result of their disastrous economic policies.

It’s amazing that the man who spent 14 years in the Cabinet which created the property bubble and subsequent crash is now suddenly championing the cause of those facing the property tax. His support for those dealing with mortgage arrears is no less ironic.

“Many people will see this for what it is €“ a cynical attempt by Fianna Fáil to curry favour with the public.

Fianna Fáil knows well that we need to generate this money to fund our local services. They know this because they wrecked the economy and left Ireland on the brink of bankruptcy.

“Given the mess that they made of the country, it’s unedifying to see Micheál Martin and Fianna Fáil engaging in this type of politics. Unfortunately this is what we’ve come to expect.”