Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance) | Oireachtas source

This debate has been well rehearsed, and the Minister of State will get the last word, in any event. We will leave here disagreeing. However, I think it is indicative of the way the Minister of State approaches this that he said people live in assets. The point is they do not live in an asset. Most people do not live in an asset. They live in a home, in a house. They purchased it as a home and do not perceive it as an asset in that sense. Putting a roof over their heads is a prerequisite for civilised and dignified existence and for enabling them to function in society. That is the reason people go to great lengths and struggle and pay for their whole lives to put a roof over their heads.

People are bitter and angry that after doing all that, they are now asked to pay again. The Minister of State has said that people realise the property tax is the best route to take, but I do not think that has happened nor that he believes that. People felt ambushed by the fact the collection of the tax was handed over to the Revenue and thought there was no way to continue a boycott. There had been a substantial boycott, particularly in the first year when there was an overwhelming boycott. The Minister of State should not fool himself about that.