Michael D'Arcy (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I wish to raise a number of issues. I do not intend to get into a political barney because this is my opportunity to raise issues. Perhaps the Minister of State will raise my issues with the Minister for Finance.

The property tax will bring in ¤500 million. We were told about it and the Taoiseach flagged it months ago. I would go as far as to say that he did so the best part of 12 months ago. I welcome the abolition of the non-principal private residence charge and I welcome the three-and-a-half year fixed rate for the property tax valuation this year. I would like the Minister of State to deliver the following message, which I have delivered directly to the Minister for Finance. It is important to fix the rate at 0.18% for a three-year period. It will give people certainty about the property tax, and they will also know that it will be fixed beyond the next general election.

Our Sinn Féin colleagues have talked a lot about wealth taxes. Unfortunately, there is nobody from the Sinn Féin Party in the House to listen to me. We already have wealth taxes; they are called DIRT tax, capital gains tax and capital acquisitions tax.