James Bannon (Fine Gael)

In recent months the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government requested local authorities to seek a €10,000 development levy from home owners. This will hit voluntary bodies, sporting organisations and so on and will have a huge impact on the cost of housing throughout the country. In addition, the Minister proposes to introduce a new €600 fee for the emptying of septic tanks. These two stealth taxes follow the abolition of housing grants last year. It is important that we have debate on this issue which will affect our young people. Local authority waiting lists will grow as a result of this type of action. We should have a debate in the near future.