Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I appreciate that the Ceann Comhairle has allowed this issue be debated today as it is appropriate to raise it on the day the details of the property tax are being issued. When it comes to valuing a house for the property tax, it is wrong that these houses are not being treated in the same way as houses affected by pyrite. To look at it logically, we are telling people to value their houses at proper market value, and I believe the lowest value they can put forward is €100,000, which would mean they would pay €90 tax per year. How could we possibly tell a person that a property affected by this poisonous gas is worth €100,000? How can we say that when it would not make €100,000 on the open market? Surely be to God some amendment could be made to the legislation whereby a nominal fee could be charged on such houses. Perhaps the house might be valued at €40,000 or €50,000, but if it came up for sale who would want to buy it knowing somebody had died in it because of radon gas? I would not take ten such properties if I got them for nothing and I doubt the Chairman would either.

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