DONOHOE TAX CUTS PLAN TO WIN BACK VOTERS

Fine Gael pledge as party loses support to Sinn Fein

- PAT FLANAGAN

FINE Gael is promising tax cuts of up to €600 a year in a bid to win back middle-income voters who are flocking to Sinn Fein.

Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe said he is willing to widen the higher rate of income tax over the next three years.

Those tax cuts will mean a single person earning around €45,000 will take home an extra €415 a year.

But it has been pointed out if this is the case it will not even cover the spiralling cost of gas and electricity.

It is understood the recent poll which showed middle-income voters are increasingly turning to Sinn Fein has prompted Minister Donohoe to propose the cuts.