Property tax and household finances
Senators debate the impending property tax and household charge, with Ó Domhnaill warning that households and retailers cannot afford further costs and criticising opposing parties’ inconsistent revenue estimates.
I wish to raise the issue of the property tax and the impending budget next week. The domestic economy is in free fall. People are not spending money. Any shopkeeper will say that, at this early stage of the Christmas season, the Christmas trade is down on last year. People have no money and cannot afford to spend any additional moneys on the household charge or the property tax. Whatever one's political philosophy on the household charge, it was unsuccessful, very badly handled and the money that was to come in was already removed from local authorities. One cannot blame the local authorities. It was the decision of the Government of the day to remove that fund. I think it is a wrong time for a property tax when 20% of all home owners are in mortgage arrears, when the value of houses are in negative equity and people are losing their jobs. More than 1,200 have lost their jobs each week this year. Introducing a property tax at this time will stagnate the domestic economy.
Comment on this
I will take no lectures from Sinn Féin because the Leader of Sinn Féin spoke of a figure of €800 million, another Deputy said it would yield €300 million, and I note that in the party's budget submission another figure is given.
Comment on this
Whatever works on the day is Sinn Féin policy. We will certainly not subscribe to that.
Comment on this
The Department of Finance's figures-----
Comment on this
As our budget is pre-costed by the Department of Finance, they are not the only figures. I am intrigued to see that Sinn Féin is focusing on a party in opposition. Obviously, they are only focusing on the narrow agenda of political opportunism.
Comment on this
Before the budget next Wednesday we should have a debate in the House on the property tax.
Comment on this
It is interesting to see Members on the other side of the House bickering among themselves. There seems to be a turf war going on between Fianna Fáil and Sinn Féin but I do not rise to speak about that issue.
