Darragh O'Brien (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Obviously, this is a very important week for the Government as we will have the election of a new Labour Party leader and, more importantly, a Cabinet reshuffle, with new members of the Cabinet and portfolio changes for many Ministers. Without going into detail on the personalities involved, I want to raise one point with the Deputy Leader and receive a commitment on it. I raised this matter on many occasions prior to the imposition of what those in government call the local property tax which, as we know, is not a local property tax. I saw four of the Deputy Leader's colleagues rail against it, interestingly and ironically, by way of a motion in the Dáil yesterday. I remind these Deputies that they voted to bring it in. I said at the time that it was an anti-urban and anti-Dublin tax because it was based on valuation. I remain opposed to it. As we know, not one cent of it went to the local authorities this year; it all went into the Central Fund. From what we hear in reports it appears the Government will decide to reduce subventions from central government to local authorities in areas in which a higher proportion of property tax is collected. We were told when the measure was brought forward that it would be used to support and enhance local government services. It appears that the areas in which a higher proportion of the property tax is collected will be penalised because the Government will reduce the subventions. I note that Senator Pat O'Neill is shaking his head, but by all accounts his party's main man in Kilkenny will not be the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government soon. I ask whoever will be the new Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government post-8 July which I understand is the date the Taoiseach will announce the reshuffle-----