Cian O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay North, Social Democrats)

A key function of the local property tax is not simply to collect revenue, but to fund local services. That has been clear from the outset. If the point is to fund local services but people do not get those services where they live because the local authority has not taken their area in charge, then of course there is a strong rationale for the way the local property tax is designed to reflect that. The intention of this amendment is not to create a significant tier of housing that is subject to this reduced rate for a prolonged period. It is to ensure there is not a tier of housing that is not taken in charge for a prolonged period and that there is a strong incentive for local authorities to get on with the business of taking those areas in charge, not leaving communities in limbo for ten or 30 years. I am aware of areas that have been looking to be taken in charge for longer than I have been alive.

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