Finance Bill Passed, Setting the Stage for General Election…
Dublin: The Dáil has passed the Finance Bill with a vote of 75 to 55, paving the way for the anticipated general election. An announcement to dissolve Parliament is expected either today or tomorrow, following Prime Minister Simon Harris’s previous commitment to pass the legislation ahead of calling the election. Harris has expressed his intent to launch the election campaign by the end of this week.
Finance Minister Jack Chambers noted that the legislation includes income tax adjustments from the recent budget, reductions to the Universal Social Charge (USC), and support measures for businesses. Anticipation for the election is building, with the official announcement likely to come from the Dáil Chamber on Thursday or potentially on Friday following Harris’s return from the European Union leaders’ meeting in Budapest.
Opposition criticises Finance Bill Provisions
Opposition leaders voiced strong objections to the Finance Bill. Sinn Féin’s Finance spokesperson, Pearse Doherty, pledged that the party would abolish USC for primary earners under €45,000 if elected. Richard Boyd Barrett of People Before Profit argued that the bill disproportionately benefits high earners by excluding them from USC responsibilities. Independent TD Michael Collins expressed concerns that the USC negatively impacts lower-paid workers, while Social Democrats TD Róisín Shortall criticised the government for missing an opportunity to enhance public services through the bill.
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