James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)

As the Government has cut over 3% annual funding from local authorities, it sees second-home owners as the fall guys to take the hit and make good the deficit. I realise the position is extremely difficult for many local authorities with the picture becoming increasingly one of debt and rapidly rising bills.

Another area I would like to see the Minister of State reconsider is the imposition of the levy on the owners of rented properties.

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