James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)

This is extraordinarily disturbing legislation. Shockingly, one of its main thrusts seems to be yet another attack on the elderly. What appears on the surface to be legislation to impose a charge on second and holiday homes follows a pattern set by this heartless Government in its quest to restore the public coffers, which it criminally squandered in the first place. The Government is attempting to find any method possible to squeeze every last cent from those who deserve respect and comfort in their old age, not an assault on their purses.

I call on the Minister of State, who comes from my area-----

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