In the first motion of the new Council term, Fine Gael Councillor Neale Richmond has called on Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council to commit to cutting the rate of the Local Property Tax by 15% in the upcoming budget.
“I put this motion down at the earliest possible opportunity so to put the new County Chief Executive and the entire Council on notice.
“Under the Local Government Act, each Council can reduce or increase the Local Property Tax by up to 15%. Prior to the Local Elections, Fine Gael promised where possible that it’s Councillors would seek to reduce the Local Property Tax rate.
“Over the coming weeks, the new County Chief Executive will need to submit her estimates to the Department of the Environment. I expect her to make it clear that, as the County with the highest compliance rate, Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council will be passing on as much relief as possible to the home-owners in the County.
“Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council is in a fortunate position that it has the means to implement this cut this year and it is vital for the many hard pressed families and individuals that this cut is implemented in full at the earliest opportunity.
“The message that all candidates received on the doors leading up to the Local Elections was clear, people have had enough and need a break.