Previous Government commitments
Senators seek confirmation that the previous Government agreed to a property tax and introduced other austerity measures, while disputing whether the tax should now proceed.
I will open my remarks by noting it is a terrible pity that other Members and I witness such bad manners in this Chamber every day. There are interruptions and the Cathaoirleach or the Acting Chairmen, whoever they may be, are not listened to.
That is all I have to say. I was not a Member of the previous Seanad. Perhaps the Leader would confirm for me once and for all in this House that the previous Government agreement with the troika included the introduction of a property tax.
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On several occasions in this House I have heard hypocrisy from many of my colleagues on the left. Will the Leader confirm to me that the introduction of the universal social charge and the abolition of the-----
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I have indeed. I have asked for confirmation on the abolition of the Christmas bonus and cuts to the blind and disabled pensions. Could the Leader please confirm whether they were introduced by the previous Government? There are many other issues but I will not raise them.
I agree with what my colleague, Senator Conway, said. It is an absolute shame and cannot be justified that hotels in this city, or in any other city in the country, are able to increase the price of hotel accommodation by as much as 500% and 600%, as outlined by Senator Conway. It is total and utter robbery in this the year of The Gathering and will do enormous damage to the tourism industry for the benefit of a few over a specific weekend. It cannot, must not and will not be justified.
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I will be brief because I know the time is up. I have the height of respect for Senator Brennan and his comments.
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It is not my style either. Senator Wilson knows that.
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It is not my style either. On the confirmation about the property tax and whether the previous Government signed off on it, it is my understanding that it did sign off in principle-----
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-----on a property tax. However, as a result of that, 53 of our colleagues are sitting at home today rather than sitting in the other House.
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Since the tax was agreed in principle with the troika by the previous Government people have got into severe difficulties with mortgage arrears. Our party now believes that this is not the right time to bring in a property tax.
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Fianna Fáil is still in favour of it.
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That is my understanding of the situation in layman’s terms.