John Kelly (Labour)

A major issue is unfolding with the second property tax, particularly in rural Ireland. Many people do not realise that they are liable to pay the non-principal private residence, NPPR, charge of €200. It was not until such time as the household charge was being debated that people started to inquire with county councils as to whether they needed to pay the charge on, for example, empty accommodation above small shops, which is not a property area in respect of which they need to pay commercial rates.

During the week, one or two of people from small towns in rural Ireland brought this issue to my attention. They approached their county councils to determine whether they were liable to pay the NPPR charge. Due to not having paid it for the past number of years, many of them now face a bill of more than €4,000. Had they been fully informed at the time, they would have paid €200 per year for the past four years, amounting to €800. Fianna Fáil introduced this legislation-----