Niall Collins (Limerick, Fianna Fail)

As Fianna Fáil Deputies stated last night, we are not opposed in principle to a property tax. There are people who can and should pay. However, the legislation, as presented, does not provide equity and fairness. It is unjust to expect a wealthy person living on Ailesbury Road in Dublin 4 to be subject to the same flat rate charge as a person who is locked into negative equity and hardship in one of the urban areas with which we are familiar or a rural dweller living on an island off the west coast. The proposed flat rate charge is regressive and discriminates against the most vulnerable. As will be shown in some of the later amendments, my party is seeking extensive exemptions for such persons.

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