Seanad debates

Wednesday, 6 March 2013

Finance (Local Property Tax) (Amendment) Bill 2013: Second Stage

 

1:10 pm

Photo of Labhrás Ó MurchúLabhrás Ó Murchú (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

This debate is not about a local property tax per se. It is about the inbuilt inequities in that tax and its method of implementation. There was a build-up of misunderstanding at the time of the household tax which was a single charge for everyone. While it was an interim measure it has left a legacy which is the background to the local property tax. There is widespread fear about the valuation, apart from the fear of not being able to pay. There was some relief when people were told they would receive an estimated valuation which they could appeal but after some weeks it became clear that even if one accepted the estimated valuation one could be pursued. That was not good management. It recreated and accentuated the fear that existed. I suggest that when one gets an estimated valuation and responds in good faith and pays that should be the end of the matter. If one wishes to appeal so be it but it would be well worth reconsidering that even at this late stage because there is a lot of misunderstanding about it. One has to attend to the detail and the devil is in the detail.

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