THE TAOISEACH HAS denied an accusation that talk of tax cuts are electioneering.

Speaking today in the Dáil, People Before Profit TD Joan Collins said that it would be “convenient” if the government decided to cut taxes in the run-up to the next general election.

She said that the government was “playing games” and said that recent kite-flying by cabinet members was a return to old ways.

“It would be convenient if the government could afford to give a tax cut in the run-up to the next general election.

“It would also be a return to the cynical era of auction politics, which this government has said that it is against.”

However the Taoiseach said that a tax cut for middle income workers was a “priority of the government”.

He said that the government had overseen a drop in the Live Register and that they were examining any possibility of lifting the burden on those in the middle.

Collins, however, hit back at the idea that there is a middle income bracket in Ireland.

“Recently, the staff in Penneys were given a three per cent pay rise. This was welcomed by one staff member, who spent the backdated pay on his Local Property Tax.”

Read: Noonan says income tax cuts are not a play for popularity

Read: Taoiseach: We’ll consider tax cuts next year, if we can afford it