A MOTION OPPOSING the introduction of a value-based property tax will be introduced before Dublin City Council at its meeting tonight.
Fianna Fáil councillor Mary Fitzpatrick is to table a motion at the council’s monthly meeting tonight which will oppose the introduction of any tax based on the value of the property.
The party argues that in Dublin such a tax would be “unfair, anti-urban, undermines local government and is uncollectible”.
The party believes that the tax is being implemented at the wrong time given 40 per cent of households are unable to pay the €100 household charge.
The government proposes to introduce a property tax next year with the only details known so far being that it will come into force in July 2013, it will be collected by the Revenue Commissioners and it will be aimed at raising around €500 million.
Fitzpatrick has claimed that the government is attempting to “shut down” any debate on the property tax.
She said: “Michael Noonan simply said he’ll be releasing the details on Budget Day. That is totally unacceptable. We live in a democracy and people have a right to know when the government is considering a damaging and unfair tax.”
The city councillor called on Fine Gael and Labour, who control the city council, to “stand with the people of this city and against their government masters and oppose the tax”.
A report on the property tax, carried out by a government-appointed expert group, is to be brought to Cabinet for its consideration “shortly” the Department of Environment said last week.
Fianna Fáil has as yet proposed no alternative to the property tax but claims it will do so in its forthcoming pre-budget submission.
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