Thomas Byrne (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I have not argued that the site value tax would be fairer in the commuter belt. The Government suggested that households would be in a worse position under a site value tax, but that is not necessarily true. Sites in those areas are much smaller than sites in other areas. The Government's argument does not necessarily stand up, but I am not making the counterpoint.

There is no link in the Government's plans between property tax and mortgages. This fatal flaw will lead to hardship and unfairness for people with properties of high values and with large mortgages. They will struggle this year and will receive a big surprise when they receive their assessments. They will not stand for it. I call on the Government to reconsider and to devise a fairer tax and a fairer way to fund local services.