Michael Colreavy (Sligo-North Leitrim, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The legislation introducing the Government's regressive family home tax was ill thought-out. It should more properly have been called the ''Pretence of improving local democracy by empowering local authorities to raise revenue on behalf of the Government" Bill. Sinn Féin has campaigned against this legislation, just as we did when the household charge was introduced. At a time when one in four mortgage holders are in distress, it makes no economic sense to place a tax on people's homes. Families up and down the country are on the breadline as they try to pay mortgages on homes in negative equity, pay for their children's education and keep their heads above water. If one wants an indication of the distress families are in, one should examine last week's figures showing that 20,000 families were disconnected from electricity and gas supplies in 2012. That is a startling figure. The same families have had the burden of this tax placed on their shoulders.

Has the Government considered how much money this tax will suck out of the local economy? According to the law of economics, the less disposable income people have in their pockets, the less they are able to spend in the real economy. How many jobs in the retail sector could the Government have potentially stunted by implementing this tax? How many small and medium-sized businesses, which depend on local consumers, could be severely hurt by this tax? As we know, the tax will double, at least, next year and the year after. The Government will also introduce water charges and whatever other mean-spirited taxes and cuts it can think of. All of this is being done to pay reckless financial gamblers. The Government has lauded those who have already paid this tax as if they were happy, delighted or anxious to do so. Many of those who have paid have been forced to cut back on other bills and expenses because of it. The Revenue Commissioners are feared and respected. The draconian decision to allow the Revenue Commissioners to raid social welfare payments and pensions was designed to intimidate families and has done so.

Some Deputies on the Government benches will try to accuse Sinn Féin of hypocrisy by arguing that we support a similar system in the Six Counties. Indeed, we heard such a suggestion from the Minister of State just now. Domestic rates in the Six Counties are a very different proposition, however. Rates in the North cover a range of public services including education, emergency services, health, housing, roads, water and sewage. In addition, the Stormont Assembly has inherited a fiscal regime in the North whereby tax-varying powers and fiscal levers are retained by Westminster.

Sinn Féin wants fiscal independence from London. Instead of snide comments from Government spokespersons here, can we please have their support in taking control over our fiscal regime?

The Stormont Assembly has passed a Bill which would allow the business rates system in the North to be restructured, which would mean that smaller businesses would pay less and bigger industry would pay more in light of the current economic climate. In all of the Government's debate about the family home tax, there is nothing about reducing business rates on small local businesses and industry. Does it care so little about maintaining jobs in our local communities?

Sinn Féin is asking all Deputies in the Chamber to support our legislation repealing the family home tax and refunding those who have paid this illicit charge. In the financial hardship that many Government Members' constituents now face, it is the right thing to do. Their constituents are watching.

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