Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I did not imply that the Minister had said he would change the legislation. He said the existing system was flexible enough to overcome the anomaly. When he said a homeowner could achieve a substantial reduction in his or her property tax liability, if not have it eliminated completely, the implication was that it could be eliminated completely under the current system. He has clarified the position today because this a self-assessed tax, that a person in these circumstances should declare that the value of his or her home is in the lowest bracket in order that his or her property tax liability will be reduced. While I accept his clarification, I put it to the Minister that he has previously acknowledged that the problem is with the law. I have attempted to change the law by tabling a Bill to amend the existing legislation. I have been in contact with the Bills Office for two months about my Bill. It sent me a letter today to tell me that, as an Opposition Deputy, I could not propose legislative changes that involved an appropriation of revenue. My changes would mean that people who have valueless properties would not have to pay €90. I do not think they should have to pay anything. Under the legislation as constructed, people whose houses have been fixed and do not have pyrite sometimes do not have to pay property charges for up to six years after selling these properties. It is an absolutely ridiculous scenario. Having gone to the trouble of proposing new legislation in this regard, I have been told by the clerk that I cannot change the law. Therefore, I appeal to the Minister at the eleventh hour of his period in this role to consider tabling legislation to make the change I am seeking. It is clear from his responses that legislative change is needed to give justice to families who have already been screwed and do not need to be screwed again.

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