Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

There are no Labour Party Deputies present in the House. However, Labour Party Deputies have been singing about this matter during the past year. Where they are on local authorities with Sinn Féin, which has been using its mandate to reduce local property tax, they have been criticising what Sinn Féin has been doing and saying it is hollowing out the income of local authorities, which is required for local authority services. Now we will see the Labour Party is happy to row in behind Fine Gael on this Bill and do what, in effect, Sinn Féin was trying to do, namely, ameliorate the impact of an unfair tax on those finding it difficult to pay that tax. It is disappointing no Labour Party Members are present.

I am also disappointed that this Bill just tinkers around the edges of this tax and does not address the issue as it should. Exemptions are mentioned but Sinn Féin in government would exempt every family from the property charge. We would seek a taxation system that reflects ability to pay. The Labour Party has spoken about a wealth tax for properties valued at over €1 million. Very little has been achieved in that regard. The property tax has a greater impact on those on low incomes.

It is a pity this debate is being rushed. I take it that, as a result of what the Chief Whip has announced, we may get a longer time to debate the Bill.

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