Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Durkan. I take on board what he is saying, which is why I suggest the sequencing of gathering thorough data on this matter first. This appears to be the sensible first step we should take. As I said in my engagement with Senator Sherlock a few moments ago, there are many reasons a property could be vacant. A number of these reasons could be very understandable from a family and homeowner point of view. They may even be reasons that are acceptable to society. When we decide we are going to tax something we need to be very clear on the behaviour we are taxing, what is the objective of doing so and what is the desired change we are looking to bring about. To give some detail on this, if I look at information available from GeoDirectory on 16 rental pressure zones, it indicates a very low level of vacancy in urban areas. For example, in the north inner city of Dublin, which is a lead part of my constituency, it indicates a vacancy rate of 0.86% of all the properties registered and surveyed. The rate in Clontarf was 0.24%. In the south east of Cork city the rate was 0.77%. The percentage of properties vacant in the surveyed area is lower than some may expect. We need a better understanding of why they are vacant than we have at present. We will get this through the information the Revenue Commissioners will collect.