Darragh O'Brien (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

We all want a proper inquiry. The hour that is being allocated for the debate on the motion is not sufficient. We have a number of questions that we want to put to the Minister of State and Government Chief Whip, Deputy Kehoe, and I ask, therefore, that the time for the debate be extended.

Has the Leader received an update from the Minister for Finance, Deputy Noonan, with regard to a debate on what the Government calls the local property tax but which is not a local property tax? There are four local authorities in Dublin. The local authority in my area is Fingal County Council. Some €40 million has been budgeted for by way of collection of local property tax for 2014 but not one cent of that money will go to the local authority. In addition, there have been cuts to the Government subvention. This is not a local property tax and people are not paying for local services. I raised this matter previously and I ask the Leader to arrange for the Minister for Finance, Deputy Noonan, to come before the House in order that he might take questions in respect of it. People are most concerned that they are paying what this Administration terms a local property tax, the money from which is going into central government coffers. That is not acceptable.