Fianna Fail will oppose the property tax – despite proposing one when in government – because the timing is wrong, leader Micheal Martin said today.

The Fianna Fáil leader speaking recently at a party convention said his party will oppose the property tax being put forward by the coalition, because it can’t possibly raise €500m.

He also said his party would oppose any cuts to pensioner entitlements, such as changes to the free travel scheme.

The Irish Independent revealed last week that the Coalition is considering cuts to scheme, which could see pensioners being asked to contribute €5 towards longer bus and train journeys.

But Mr Martin said the Government should not “target a group of people such as pensioners and the elderly and say they’re rolling in it”.