Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

In respect of making time available in the House, will the Government publish the report immediately and facilitate opportunities for Deputies to speak on the report given the debate we have had so far on this very sensitive issue? I think the Taoiseach would agree that it is very unsatisfactory that it has been leaked in this manner, particularly when the Dáil has not had an opportunity to see it. I would appreciate if the Taoiseach could commit to publishing that report and providing an opportunity.

There is no intention in the section in the finance Bill dealing with amendments to the family home property tax to ease the burden for those in mortgage distress and arrears. We discussed this earlier. It is a significant crisis and many people will amazed at that. Can the Taoiseach outline the legislative schedule for the finance Bill and give a commitment to the House that there will be no guillotining of the debate on the Bill as there was before Christmas in respect of the property tax when we got less than two days and no chance to table amendments or discuss anything to do with it? Will he state that there will be no such guillotine in place in respect of the finance Bill and that we will have an opportunity to put down amendments to exempt those in mortgage distress and arrears from having to pay the property tax? If one cannot pay one's mortgage and if one is between 90 days and two years in arrears, how in the name of God can one be expected to pay the property tax on top of that?

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