Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 6 November 2012
746. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the date on which the inter-departmental group on property tax was established; the person who is chairman of this group; the membership of same; the number of meetings that have been held; the number of reports and conclusions issued; the action taken or to be taken as a result of the process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48588/12]
View answerI established the independently-chaired Inter-Departmental Expert Group to consider the structures and modalities for an equitable Local Property Tax in the context of decisions to replace the Household Charge.
The Group had an independent chair, Dr. Don Thornhill, and comprised the following representation:
- Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources
- Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government
- Department of Finance
- Department of Public Expenditure and Reform
- Department of Social Protection, and
- Office of the Revenue Commissioners.
The Group met ten times , between 8 February and 10 May, before submitting its report to me. Since then, considerable work has been progressing to prepare proposals for Government. It would not be appropriate to comment on the content of the Expert Group’s report at this point, pending Government’s consideration of the report and the associated issues. It will then be a matter for Government to decide on the exact details of implementation, taking into account the modalities involved.
The Government has decided that the Local Property Tax will be collected and administered by the Revenue Commissioners.
