Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Deputy's party has not made the same case in Northern Ireland where property taxes apply and its representatives support these on the basis of the provision of local services. The local property tax is for the purpose of contributing to the provision of public services for people all over the country. The mechanics of the tax have been worked out by the Revenue Commissioners. Half of it is due in 2013 and full payment in 2014. People in various parts of the country will receive letters concerning the tax over the next several weeks.

Last year, in respect of the €100 household charge, there were blanket exemptions given to many housing estates, of which there were 43,000 houses mentioned. Of that figure, 20,000 houses were empty and uninhabited. It was not a true reflection of an exemption because there was nothing paid in respect of these houses. Of the remainder, there are 5,000 to 6,000 houses in estates where remedial works have been carried out. This is a far more accurate assessment of who is actually liable for the property tax for this and next year.

The Deputy will also be aware that 65% of these will apply for local areas in 2013. She is also aware that housing estates that were given blanket exemptions in respect of the household charge were started in different stages. One might have the front element of an estate finished with the middle section incomplete and the back section not even started. An entire estate may have been given an exemption in the first place.

The Minister of State, Deputy Jan O'Sullivan, clarified all of this last week with up-to-date accurate information. There are opportunities for people who own such houses to contribute in a variety of fashions to the services to be provided in their local areas.

It is not unusual for Deputy McDonald to come into the Chamber claiming this is unfair and unjust, yet up the road a few miles she finds a similar tax fair and just.

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