Kevin Humphreys (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I have said I support equalisation, but it must be done through central taxation if we want more people to pay and buy into local property tax. We must look at people who are earning huge amounts of money and can afford to pay the taxation to afford the equalisation. People who are living in terraced houses are paying huge property tax compared to what people in Donegal, Leitrim or Waterford pay. There has to be a little fairness in it.

I will support this Bill but I would welcome a proper debate, with facts and figures provided beforehand, on how we can develop proper supports for local government. Local government must be supported to provide services and it is best that there is a local property tax to pay for services and that when people pay the tax they see the services are provided. There must be social solidarity and an equalisation fund, but I believe that should be done through central taxation, not through an additional tier of taxation that is mainly imposed on residents in Dublin. I hope this Bill is passed quickly and I do not intend to delay it further. I would be grateful if the Minister of State would consider what I said overnight and if he will respond to me on it.