Thomas Byrne (Fianna Fail)

An alternative to applying the full charge to the houses to which I refer would be to apply a charge to the property. In such circumstances, the €100 would build up each year until a house was sold and then the solicitor involved would be obliged to hand over the total amount at the end of the sale process. There is no good reason trading companies are being excluded. We are introducing an across-the-board property tax but we are excluding certain types of property. This matter should be reconsidered because the question of fairness arises. People, both rich and poor, are being hit and I do not understand why traders in residential properties - which is what builders and developers are - should be exempt from the charge. After all, they are not exempt from many other charges. If these traders state that they cannot afford to pay, then the charge should become one in respect of their properties. The latter is, of course, the position when it comes to other citizens. If the houses to which I refer were sold at some point in the future, the State would realise a return.

The Minister of State referred to NAMA. However, there is an exemption in respect of properties to which a statutory receiver has been appointed under NAMA. That is correct because if it were not the case, the money would just be coming into the State system and going straight back out again. However, the position with regard to the houses in question is different and I am of the view that the State should apply the charge to everyone across the board and not just to those who live in their own homes or whatever. It appears that ordinary people are continually being hit.