Alan Farrell (Dublin North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I accept this is probably not the best time to be introducing a property tax. That it is based on market value means it will clearly be slightly unfair to people in urban areas, particularly Dublin but also Cork, Galway, Limerick and places like that. It is regrettable that those in cities are subventing those in rural areas again, primarily because house values are lower where demand is lower. I understand that we are in a difficult set of economic circumstances. I understand completely that the figures for this year and the next few years are done. I did not hear what my colleague, Deputy Mitchell, may have said earlier. It was given to me second hand. I will of course support the Government on this initiative. I hope we can actively review it in the future, having analysed the figures to see precisely where the income is coming from, and try to allocate it more appropriately or more fairly.

I do not wish to attack Sinn Féin's position on the property tax. Some of its Deputies spoke earlier about being hamstrung by Westminster and all the rest of it. The fact remains that the average property tax payment north of the Border is approximately €1,000, whereas the average payment south of the Border will be approximately €400. Yet again Sinn Féin is taking a different approach to politics south of the Border, compared to north of the Border. I often find that quite ironic.

Fianna Fáil now claims it is the wrong time to introduce a property tax even though it committed the State to its introduction and the raising of €530 million before the end of next year. No doubt this is a duality of position for party political and personal gain on the part of the individual Members who continue to spout that line.

I regret that so little time is being allocated to this debate.

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