Joan Collins (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance)

I am opposing this section on the basis of what my colleagues have said. This is a poll tax. It is not progressive in any way. I listened to the Minister, Deputy Hogan, yesterday when he said there will be a cut in the universal social charge for those who earn less than €10,000. The Government is proud of itself for giving €4 back to people before taking €2 off them. I am absolutely opposed to this.

If the Government really wants to introduce a property tax - the United Left Alliance is not opposed to the idea of the wealthy paying a property tax - an exemption should be made for family homes. It could apply to four-bedroom or five-bedroom homes in certain areas. There could have been a different approach to the detail of the tax. We know what this is all about. The plan is to introduce a tax of between €1,000 and €1,300 - possibly more - on people's homes.

I will refer to the similar bin tax that was introduced in 2000. Contrary to what has been said in the House today, people were able to find the strong campaign against the tax in the Crumlin and Walkinstown areas of Dublin South-Central. If Sinn Féin received any queries about the bin tax, or had any problems, it could have contacted those involved in the campaign. It was quite clear who they were. No one in the area went to jail. No one in the area who did not want to pay the bin tax had to do so. They have not suffered any consequences from failing to pay it.

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