Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I was not involved in 2012. The tax commission believed that there was real economic rationale behind a site value tax but that administrative difficulties would arise. In 2012, it feared that the real concentration was on the immediate task of getting a very quick revenue boost for the State, which was in significant financial difficulty. Is there not a case, on the basis of what the national planning framework says we want to do, to say that we should use tax as a signal in the context of ensuring better development and use of land? A site value tax, in my mind, would do that. I cannot think of a better way to do that, for both commercial and residential land. In one fell swoop, it would provide massive a stimulus towards sustainable development, which is essential for a properly working economy.

Listening to the radio this morning, I heard that construction is not happening in the centre of Dublin. Some companies are leaving the city because we do not have the correct signals in terms of use of our land so that accommodation can be provided in the places that people want it. A site value tax provides that. I recognise that there are administrative difficulties. Ten years ago, people said that we should do it but that it would take time and would not provide immediate revenue. We now have a certain amount of time and we are in a different fiscal position. I am of the view that it should be reconsidered in that light and in the context of the housing crisis, which, to my mind, has been caused by the inappropriate tax signals we have. Yesterday, I met a lady in the café upstairs in this building. It took her three hours to get from Edenderry to Dublin yesterday. I am sure it took her three hours to get home in the evening. We have chaotic transport and land use systems. This is a chance to start getting it right. Why should that be ruled out? The only reason pointed to any of these reports is administrative difficulties, which is not a good enough reason.