Mark Daly (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister, Deputy Hogan. This is a fairly specific issue in regard to councils issuing certificates of discharge and exemption so that people have certainty as to whether liability arises for non-principal private residences, in particular derelict properties. Local authorities will issue a certificate when a sale goes through. However, people might believe they are exempt but the council could take an alternate view. As the Minister is well aware, there are severe penalties for people who do not pay the non-principal private residence charge.

I know the charge is being removed but if one has not paid it over the past number of years, it adds up every month. If people sell properties in ten years time in the belief that they are exempt, there is no way for them to be certain unless they sell the property by which time it is far too late if the council is of the view that they are liable for the charge.