Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy and I will deal with his points. I accept that for many people, a bill of €100 is a lot, and that is why we have put in place the changes that the Deputy acknowledged in the Bill. The Deputy spoke about the future of this tax and the people of his own county of Donegal. On one hand he said he was concerned about the future revenue that the people of Donegal, whom he represents, will get from this tax, but he has also indicated he wants to abolish the tax. I put it to the Deputy there is an inconsistency in that approach. He is worried about the effect on the revenue that would be seen by the people in Donegal but he is not worried enough to keep the tax and he wants to abolish it. It begs the question that if the Deputy is worried about revenue, where will it be found? I know the Deputy has answers to that question.

There is a change being made here and I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that this change is required to make clearer what area of land will be taxed. I am not making any change here with a view to trying to increase the tax raised on any property subject to this tax.

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