David Norris (Independent) | Oireachtas source

Like my colleagues, yesterday I received a bundle of information about the property tax, including a specimen form. All my doubts have been crystalised in this. It gives advice and guidance on how to value our property. The two principal means are two websites run by the authorities. They are confusing, highly inaccurate and utterly useless. One cannot make one's way around them. I speak from my own parochial concern. The area in the north inner city in which I live is bounded by Dorset Street, Gardiner Street, Cathal Brugha Street, Frederick Street, Rutland Place and O'Connell Street. It is in band 5, one of the more expensive bands. O'Connell Street is in band 3, Dame Street is in band 4 and St. Stephen's Green west is in band 4. In other words, they are less expensive. Part of Merrion Square is also less expensive. These are enormous houses on the south side. I could continue listing the areas.

The guidance is absolutely riddled with the most grotesque anomalies. It says that one can honestly arrive at a valuation. I had a meeting with some of my neighbours last night and we decided we would do our best to honestly value the properties, but the only way we can do it is by reference to sales and the Government's guidelines, which are totally inaccurate. How could anybody say that a property on a street in the north inner city that still has some dereliction in it has more value than one of those enormous palatial houses on the south side? It is absolutely daft. We will do our best but, my goodness, sparks will fly about this.

I am very sorry that a Member of the Lower House is in the current difficulty with penalty points. He is a decent man. It is quite extraordinary-----