Housing a 'priority' for SF as it launches manifesto

Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald has said that people do not feel better off compared to five years ago.

She was speaking at the launch of her party's election manifesto, which commits to running €15 billion in budget surpluses over the next five years.

Ms McDonald promised change in a number of areas such as housing, healthcare and the cost of living. She also reiterated plans to abolish the USC for people's first €45,000 of income.

On housing, she promised to ban rent increases and to put a months rent "back in renter's pockets".

The party's finance spokesperson, Pearse Doherty, insisted that the manifesto was the most detailed around and that the number one priority was housing.

Meanwhile Eoin Ó Broin, Sinn Féin's housing spokesperson, said that the party would embark on a "radical reset" of housing policy.

Mr Doherty said that Sinn Féin has a budget package of €37.2bn, and has committed to running €15bn in budget surpluses.

"No other opposition party has delivered the level of detail for voters", he said.

In relation to health the party's health spokesperson, David Cullinane, described the party's five-year healthcare plan as the most "comprehensive plan ever produced by a political party".

He said that Sinn Féin had a €5.4bn investment plan "to deliver a single-tier health service".

Sinn Féin has also committed to commissioning an "independent human rights and journalistic expert review into the objectivity of coverage by RTÉ of the Israeli genocide in Gaza and other international conflicts", which Fine Gael leader Simon Harris described as chilling and "extraordinarily concerning".

Regarding childcare, the party's spokesperson on children and youth, Claire Kerrane, committed to pay increases of an initial €1.50 per hour for people working in early education.

Mr Doherty also said that the party would not increase carbon taxes any further and would reverse the last two increases.

He committed to abolishing property tax, starting with a cut of 20% next year.

In its manifesto, Sinn Féin is also promising to invest €7bn to retrofit homes.

Asked what Sinn Féin offers people who are "doing okay", Ms McDonald said that a substantial number of people are struggling, including those who are "up early".

She said that most people "do not feel better off" compared to five years ago.

Ms McDonald said that "the basics have to work again for everybody", adding that housing should not be seen "as a luxury".

Everyone earning up to €100,000 "will be better off under Sinn Féin", Mr Doherty said.

Another measure announced at the manifesto launch was reducing the presidential term to five years, from its current seven.

Ms McDonald said that it should be brought in line with the current Dáil term.

She said that if a week is a long-time in politics, then seven years is "many, many eternities".

Additional reporting Tommy Meskill