Dáil debates

Wednesday, 2 June 2021

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation

 

12:40 pm

Photo of Micheál MartinMicheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The Deputy is being politically dishonest. How do I know this? The evidence is very clear as to what her party does when it has financial responsibility. Just one hour's drive from this building, in Northern Ireland, Sinn Féin runs the Department of Finance. It is the largest party in five out of 11 local authorities. It has no problem whatsoever with an annual tax on the family house calculated on the basis of its value. In fact, in eight of the 11 council areas that tax bill will increase for 2021 and 2022. Just look at one council area, Mid Ulster. If you own a house valued at £150,000 in Mid Ulster, you have to pay £1,192 per year in property tax. For 2021-22 the local council decided to freeze the rate. The Sinn Féin councillor who was tasked with responding to this said that not raising the rate would be like asking council officers to do their job with one hand tied behind their backs. In the Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon council area, where the Deputy's party holds the position of lord mayor, the owner of a £150,000 house faces an annual bill of £1,360.

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