Property tax valuations
Senator Norris criticises official property-tax valuation websites as confusing and inaccurate, with discussion touching on alleged Garda leaks. The Chair intervenes over remarks concerning another House, while Senator Mullins directs him to a Revenue briefing.
Like my colleagues, yesterday I received a bundle of information about the property tax, including a specimen form. All my doubts have been crystalised in this. It gives advice and guidance on how to value our property. The two principal means are two websites run by the authorities. They are confusing, highly inaccurate and utterly useless. One cannot make one's way around them. I speak from my own parochial concern. The area in the north inner city in which I live is bounded by Dorset Street, Gardiner Street, Cathal Brugha Street, Frederick Street, Rutland Place and O'Connell Street. It is in band 5, one of the more expensive bands. O'Connell Street is in band 3, Dame Street is in band 4 and St. Stephen's Green west is in band 4. In other words, they are less expensive. Part of Merrion Square is also less expensive. These are enormous houses on the south side. I could continue listing the areas.
The guidance is absolutely riddled with the most grotesque anomalies. It says one can honestly arrive at a valuation. I had a meeting with some of my neighbours last night and we decided we would do our best to honestly value the properties, but the only way we can do it is by reference to sales and the Government's guidelines, which are totally inaccurate. How could anybody say that a property on a street in the north inner city that still has some dereliction in it has more value than one of those enormous palatial houses on the south side? It is absolutely daft. We will do our best but, my goodness, sparks will fly about this.
I am very sorry that a Member of the Lower House is in the current difficulty with penalty points. He is a decent man. It is quite extraordinary-----
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-----that another of these people has been affected by leaks from the Garda. It is a little worrying also.
I do not like the practice but I worry about the fact that, apparently, if one takes on some of the Establishment, one gets a nice solid whack through leaking. It is not good practice.
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If I can be helpful to Senator David Norris, there will be a briefing by the Revenue Commissioners in the audiovisual room at 11.45 a.m. today.
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I would be sorry to share the same air. I have some standards as I come here, but there is a limit.