Dominic Hannigan (Meath East, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the opportunity to speak on the Finance (Local Property Tax) (Amendment) Bill 2013. The exemptions from the tax are to be welcomed, particularly those that relate to the new Personal Insolvency Act. It is important that we remember how difficult it is for people out there. We need to continue to work to get the country's finances right. I am pleased to see the importance of the debate is recognised by the Minister for Finance, Deputy Noonan, who is in attendance in the House.

The exemption for pyrite-damaged houses is an important issue for many families across the north east. It is an issue that I raised in the Seanad from 2007 onwards and have raised with Ministers since we came into office in 2011. When the original property tax was announced several months ago, I, along with the Pyrite Action group and many Deputies across both sides of the House, called for an exemption for families with pyrite-damaged homes. I welcome the fact the Minister listened to us and has provided for this exemption. I know from speaking to affected home owners that this exemption will help them somewhat as they try to deal with the problem.

Now that we have agreed the exemption, we must do some further work to agree on how we apply it. Affected home owners will need to get their homes certified by the National Standards Authority of Ireland to show the level of pyrite in the house. The authority previously announced new standards that it will use to check pyrite levels. If the testing shows the amount of pyrite is over a certain level, the home owner can notify the Revenue Commissioners with the certificate and be exempted from the tax. It will be up to the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government to show how the testing will be operated and set the level for exemption once the Bill is enacted. People are somewhat anxious about this and we need to work on it as soon as possible to reassure them.

I have been told by the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government that Mr. John O'Connor, the former chair of An Bord Pleanála, has been appointed to chair the pyrite resolution board. This is welcome news, and now that a chairman has been appointed we can expect to see further movement. It is important that Members on all sides of the House put pressure on the Minister so that the board is up and running with full membership as soon as possible.

On behalf of those with pyrite in their homes, we very much welcome this exemption, which we believe is a positive step. However, we have not seen the end of the story yet. We need to get the pyrite resolution board up and running, as well as clearing up the issue of restitution for those in difficulties with pyrite in their homes.

See this speech in context