Victor Boyhan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I wish to discuss an issue with the European Commission's annual economic recommendations and its commentary on Ireland. It has issued a warning to Ireland that the property tax take here is too low - at 1%, it is below the EU average of 1.6% - and that the country is too reliant on volatile revenue sources. No wonder people are becoming disconnected from the European Union on a range of issues. I have always strongly opposed the local property tax. One particular party had a slogan a few years ago that it was the wrong tax at the wrong time. It is the wrong tax at any time as it is grossly unfair. My next door neighbour who is widow in receipt of a basic pension pays the same amount in property tax as I do. This is something that needs to come into the light in public debate within days, not months. This is a very appropriate juncture in politics for the issue to be raised by all political groups and none. In its annual economic recommendations the Commission also speaks about the risk of there being some deviations from EU budget rules this year and next. It speaks about issues related to a tax on gasoline and diesel. Given many of the issues on which it touches in the case of Ireland, we should have a debate on the report. Will the Leader arrange for the relevant Minister to come to the House to discuss the critical recommendations being circulated by the Commission as they affect Ireland?