David Cullinane (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I wish Mr. Jimmy Walsh a very happy retirement. I am sure he will enjoy it and go on to do many different things and there may be a great book in him. The three Sinn Féin representatives in the Seanad have only been here for a short time and would not know him as long as some of those who have been here for many years. In the short time we have been here we have become friends. We will miss his wit and banter as well as the gentle advice he gave us all. He had an extraordinary way of giving advice in a gentle way while at the same time getting the point across very strongly. I will sincerely miss that and I hope he will make use of the pass he has been given to come back and visit us. I do not believe we could all stand up with integrity and say that about every journalist. When we say it, it is sincere and genuine. He truly was impartial and genuine in what he did. He represented the people of the State very well in covering the Seanad and very few journalists have. I commend him on his work in that regard and wish him the very best of luck in his retirement.

"Stupid decision", "ham-fisted", "unfair" and "a complete mess" were some of the terms used by Labour Party Deputies and Senators in recent weeks in describing the property tax and I agree with all of them. Extraordinary powers have been given to a number of Departments on this property tax. The Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government can take money from people's grants. The Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine can take money from people's farming payments and grants. The Revenue Commissioners have been given extraordinary powers. The Department of Social Protection can take money from people's social welfare payments and pensions. Yesterday one of the Labour Party Senators asked us to celebrate that granny flats will not be subject to a property tax, which is good. However, many grannies and granddads own their own homes and will have to pay this unfair tax. Many of them simply do not have the money to do it.

I wish to put a direct question to the Leader of the House. As a public representative - I am sure every Senator would say the same - I meet people who are making tough decisions every day about which bills to pay. They sit in our offices and ask us which bill they should pay because they cannot cope, especially if they are on social welfare or low pay. They are going without heating oil despite the current low temperatures. They need oil in their tanks but cannot find the money to buy it. They cannot find the money to pay utility bills. They are barely paying their mortgages and many of them are in mortgage arrears. However, none of them is exempt from this tax. They are all being asked to pay and the money simply is not there. What advice would the Leader give these people? Where will they get the money? Even though there is a deferral option for very low-income families, the Government in a disgraceful and cynical way will charge them interest of 4%, thereby penalising low-paid people because they cannot afford to pay.

I again call for a debate on the property tax. The penny is now dropping with many families that this is coming and more and more people are recognising the unfairness of the tax. We should have a debate on not just the property tax but also the alternatives to it. There are fairer ways to increase taxation and I call on the Leader to arrange that debate as soon as possible.