Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Previous housing policies, property and transaction taxes have been disastrous and placed significant impositions on people. The Government has decided that it will introduce a property tax and I do not see it as a solution to argue that it should increase income tax rates instead. Some of the people mentioned by the Deputy would have to pay increased income tax. The property tax approach would result in a broadening of the tax base and mean all tax revenue would not be taken from income. Therefore, property owners and householders would pay their share. We will try to introduce a fair system and the proposed measures will be announced on budget day.

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