Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I am asking about the home tax. Prior to the election the Taoiseach described a tax on the home as unfair and unjust. The Labour Party campaigned against home taxes for many years but it is doing the exact opposite now that it is in Government. The people are confused and disappointed. I ask about the snitch clause that is being included in the Bill. Does the Government want us to become informers when somebody sells a home? We certainly support the Garda, as we discussed last week, but normally when somebody sells something he or she gives a good luck penny. The Government wants a snitch clause, however, and the Revenue Commissioners are being given exorbitant powers to interfere with people's homes and home finances. That is not fair. They paid their tax at source or through self-assessment and Revenue has no business getting involved in this matter. I dislike the snitch clause and I think the vast majority of people will not partake in it and do not like the connotations it carries. I am very disappointed with the Minister's answer and I ask him again if he will accept amendments on behalf of hard-pressed home owners who are in negative equity and struggling to pay their mortgages. They are the people in need. These people voted for the Government en masse and they are now bewildered, confused and dejected.

See this speech in context