Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

There are two issues here. The first issue falls under the remit of the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government as his Department has responsibility for the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland and for how we deal with high levels of radon gas in domestic homes. The second issue is the treatment of the property tax. When the Revenue Commissioners values a group or cluster of homes in an area, it will put a valuation on the properties. However, as the Deputy is aware, under the legislation set out by the Minister for Finance, it is then up to individuals to challenge that valuation by way of a valuation through other means. If, as the Deputy suggests, the house in question is virtually worthless because of the circumstances, that will follow from a professional evaluation of the property.

The Deputy is concerned that this individual is in an appalling situation and I sympathise with the individual on the tragic death of his wife. In circumstances in which the individual can challenge the valuation, which he can under the legislation, he will argue that the properly is near worthless and, consequently, will not have the liability others will have. It is set out in the legislation that anyone can challenge the valuation put on a property by the Revenue Commissioners. This applies to this individual just as it does to anybody else.

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