I move: "That Dáil Éireann approves the following Order in draft: 2021, Double Taxation Relief (Taxes on Income and Capital Gains) (Republic of Kosovo) Order 2021, a copy of which was laid before Dáil Éireann on 7th July, 2021.”

I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." In my remarks I will briefly outline the background to the introduction of the local property tax, its position in our overall taxation system and why it should be maintained but in a reformed structure. As the introduction of a property tax represented a major structural change in the tax system the local property tax was considered in depth in 2012 by an interdepartmental group chaired by Dr. Don Thornhill. Among other contributions to the debate on the optimal d…

I thank the Deputies for the different points made here this evening. I will respond to some of the questions that were asked and charges made about this tax. Speaker after speaker from Sinn Féin stood up and made the point on one hand that this tax should be abolished and then on the other hand argued that the county they represent does not get enough revenue from the tax they want to abolish. It is quite the position to hold to say they want to get rid of a tax and then also say they do not get enough from the ta…

I move: That, notwithstanding the Order of Business of Tuesday, No. 9 a , motion regarding the Finance (Local Property Tax) (Amendment) Bill 2021, shall be taken now and that any division demanded thereon shall be taken immediately.

I move: That initiation of the Finance (Local Property Tax) (Amendment) Bill 2021 may proceed pursuant to Standing Order 174 notwithstanding that pre-legislative consideration of the Bill pursuant to Standing Order 173 has not been completed.

I thank the Deputy for raising what I know is a very serious matter. I have experience of this issue from working with colleagues in trying to respond to the huge stress and anxiety that I know has been caused to many homeowners in Deputy Crowe's county and in counties Donegal and Mayo because of the damage that was done to their homes due to the presence of pyrite. The case at the moment is that the exemption criterion for accessing the local property tax exemption is that a home must be accepted into the defectiv…

I thank Deputy Crowe. Some of the very important issues he raised are outside the remit of the answer I have been able to give him. I know the Minister, Deputy O'Brien, will be well aware of the issues raised by the Deputy on behalf of his constituents. I will engage with the Minister, as the Deputy has been doing. The Finance (Local Property Tax) (Amendment) Bill 2021, which will be in front of the House next week, is trying to be a nationwide scheme. It needs to be a nationwide scheme because it is a tax measure.…

I move amendment No. 1: In page 6, to delete lines 12 to 23 and substitute the following: "(i) in paragraph (a)(i)(I), by the insertion of "or, where the claim relates to a period specified in subsection (8)(b)(ii)(I) or (II) or to any full week falling within the period beginning on 5 July 2021 and ending on 18 July 2021, 20 per cent," after "10 per cent", (ii) in paragraph (a)(i)(II), by the insertion of "or, where the claim relates to a period specified in subsection (8)(b)(ii)(I) or (II) or to any full week fal…

I thank Deputies Boyd Barrett, Mattie McGrath and Danny Healy-Rae for the issues they have raised. I will respond to the issues raised by Deputy Boyd Barrett first. On the business restrictions support scheme that is being introduced, a broader group of occupations is included in it, provided that recipients meet certain criteria in relation to their level of trading. That does include taxi drivers. It will include food suppliers, for example, in response to the issue that Deputy Danny Healy-Rae raised, as well as …

I move amendment No. 5: In page 31, between lines 2 and 3, to insert the following: “ Repayment of stamp duty where certain residential units leased 15. (1) The Act of 1999 is amended by the insertion of the following section after section 83D: “ 83E. (1) In this section— ‘Act of 1992’ means the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1992; ‘approved housing body’ means a body approved of or standing approved of, under, or for the purposes of, section 6 of the Act of 1992; ‘housing authority’ has the same meaning as…

A Chathaoirligh, could you inform me how much time I have left, please?

Thank you, a Chathaoirligh, for clarifying that. I have heard many claims from the Opposition this evening about housing policy and about what my Government's motivation is in how we can supply and build more homes for our citizens, particularly those who need them the most. I have heard the Opposition look to paint many pictures with their words as to what is behind this amendment and what is motivating the policies of the Government as we try to respond to the needs in our country which we know are great and as t…

-----have already been delivered by a strengthened Government putting more money into the provision of homes directly.

No, it is not agreed. I know the Opposition Members are all in favour of their views being heard but if they could do me the courtesy of one more minute, I would be very happy to allow the vote to happen. If the Leas-Cheann Comhairle will allow me a further minute to conclude I will conclude my speech to facilitate a vote taking place.

How much time is left?

I have heard the Opposition make claims about ordinary people and families and their needs being met. In supporting this amendment, I am motivated by the risk that 2,500 families would not have their social housing needs met without this change. The Opposition's approach is putting their dreams and needs at risk in relation to social housing.

The Minister of State, Deputy Fleming, gave a very comprehensive overview of the legislation so I will confine myself to responding back to the different comments made by Opposition and Government Deputies during the debate. I want to begin by addressing some of the points made by Deputy Connolly where she invoked the darkness of Kafka in her analysis of the Department and the Government's housing policy and the work that we are doing. I had the opportunity yesterday morning to visit the work under way in Dominick …

I wish to share time with the Minister of State, Deputy Fleming, in order that we may cover off the different issues for which we are responsible.

We are all deeply aware of the uncertainty we face across many parts of our society and economy. That assessment is particularly applicable to where we stand with the future of banking here in Ireland. It has been a difficult year. I want to open by asserting my fundamental view on the future of banking, which is that, ultimately, the banking system should serve as the means to help households and firms achieve their financial, economic and social needs. I want to update Deputies on some forthcoming legislative and…

I thank the Deputy for raising this issue and I propose to take Questions Nos. 51 and 53 together.