Sinn Féin:The current tax take was adequate to fund essential public services, Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams said yesterday.
He claimed there was a growing cynicism at the type of auction politics being adopted by other parties, which were making unreasonable promises to slash taxes and somehow deliver on their public service commitments at the same time.
"Sinn Féin will not engage in auction politics. Our priority is to deliver strong public services and we believe that this can be achieved if the current tax take is maintained," he added.
"We believe in the right to universal access to decent healthcare, education and childcare. We believe in public monies being used to provide public services.
"We are for the constitutional right to a home, we believe in building the economy and using the wealth created for the public good. We believe in Irish reunification. Sinn Féin has been successful in building and advancing the peace process. These are our priorities for government," Mr Adams said.
Speaking in Dublin at a press conference introducing the party's candidates, Mr Adams repeated that Sinn Féin was ready for government in the Republic.
"Sinn Féin is ready for government after this election. There is huge goodwill for the return of the powersharing institutions in the North and growing support for our proposals to build an Ireland of equals," he said.
Mr Adams said that the party was running 41 candidates in 40 constituencies.
