Dáil debates

Tuesday, 13 December 2011

Local Government (Household Charge) Bill 2011 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed)

 

9:00 pm

Photo of Anthony LawlorAnthony Lawlor (Kildare North, Fine Gael)

They were conned in 1977 when Fianna Fáil bought an election through the removal of rates. We have been honest in what we said today. We are introducing a household charge. When the Minister introduced the Bill he said it was an interim measure until we can put in place a fair valuation system, which means that those living in large properties, the wealthy the Opposition constantly condemns, will pay a larger share of tax.

I came across a quote recently and was pleased to see it came from a book called The House Always Wins: Time to Turn the Tables. It states:

The abolition of domestic rates caused great damage to local government and real local democracy. Since 1977 local government has been funded principally from central government and with the central funding came a much greater degree of centralised control, moving democracy further and further away from the citizen.

I do not see Deputy McGuinness in the Chamber but I welcome his input.

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