Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I support the call made by Deputy Darragh O'Brien but there is no reason these letters could not have issued on 5 or 6 January next year. They relate to next year's tax. This is an awful insult to compliant taxpayers. Most people paid the property tax this year and they are being hit a second time this year before Christmas, which is confusing for people. There is a great deal of confusion and hurt. Coverage of this issue has been widespread in the media over the weekend. It is like trick-or-treat at Hallowe'en; the people are being tricked about what is going on. What happened was premeditated, furtive and extremely nasty against the general public. Members of the public need an apology and somebody should make it sooner rather than later. This is festering sore that will get worse over the next few weeks.