Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

In his Budget Statement the Minister for Finance said that the Irish financial crisis could be summarised in the word "debt", consisting of both national debt and personal debt. For families who cannot pay their mortgage today, the Government's solution is to add more debt to the problem they already face. Only people in certain, very limited circumstances will be given the option of deferring the property tax. In effect, therefore, they are being asked to take on more debt and will be charged 4% per year for the privilege deferring their payment.

The Taosieach has not answered a fundamental question. What is the need to rush this legislation through the House, given that it will not come into effect until July next year? The Bill raises a host of issues which will not be open to us to address satisfactorily in the very limited time available. We are expected to deal with 88 amendments in three and a half hours, which is three minutes per amendment. There is no need whatever for that. Will the Taoiseach show the House some respect by allowing adequate time for debate? There is no reason that we cannot return to the Bill in January and have a more mature and responsible debate that will allow us to address the clear and inherent anomalies and unfairness it contains.

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