Departmental Bodies

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 21 March 2012

Wednesday, 21 March 2012

Questions (373)

Noel Grealish

Question:

377 Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the reason the expert group examining a possible property tax consists only of civil servants and a retired civil servant, and does not include any representatives from external expert bodies; if he will give the individual rationale for selecting each member of the group; if he feels the group has the correct balance, notwithstanding the credentials of those on the group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15412/12]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government (Deputy Phil Hogan)

The Government has established the Inter-Departmental expert Group to consider the structures and modalities for an equitable valuation based property tax. This Group will complete its work and make recommendations to me by end April 2012. Following consideration of the Group's recommendations, I will bring proposals to Government on the property tax as soon as possible. It will then be a matter for the Government to decide on the modalities of the property tax.

The Group may call on technical expertise from the CSO, An Post/Ordnance Survey of Ireland (Geo-Directory), the Property Registration Authority, the Valuation Office, the Property Services Regulatory Authority and other individuals, organisations and agencies as it may deem to be of assistance in carrying out its work.

In addition, written submissions to the Group were invited from interested organisations and members of the public before 16 March, 2012.