Seanad debates

Wednesday, 5 December 2012

2:40 pm

Photo of Mark DalyMark Daly (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Budgets should be about fairness and equity, and those who have the most should contribute most to the most vulnerable people in our society. I am afraid this budget does not achieve that. We know from the credit union survey that 1.8 million people have less than ยค100 left at the end of the month, yet we are bringing a property tax down on their heads. In October last year Bill Clinton remarked that Ireland needed to resolve its mortgage issue but we have not done so. Some 27% of people have mortgage arrears or have restructured their mortgages but we are now imposing a property tax on those who are clearly struggling. It is unbelievable that a property tax is being hoisted onto this economy at this time when we have not resolved the mortgage issue, or given our people and our citizens a way to ensure they have a decent standard of living and are able to turn on the heat and feed and clothe their children. The Taoiseach famously said, many moons ago, that it was morally wrong to bring in a property tax. I am sure he is reflecting on that now as many people are calculating the amount of tax they must pay, as well as the cuts to child benefit and the new PRSI contributions. On top of all that there is the property tax, while our mortgage issue gets worse by the hour and the day.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.