No legal obligation to pay 2014 property tax this year - Kenny

Taoiseach Enda Kenny has said there is no legal obligation on people to pay next year's property tax in the remaining week s of this year.

“The tax for 2014 is due in 2014,’’ he said. He added that nobody was prevented from paying this year if they wished.

Mr Kenny told the Dáil today that under Section 119 of the Finance Local P roperty Tax 2012, as amended, set out the dates for payment.

“And for the year 2014, the payment due date is January 1st 2014,’’ he added. “The legislation also makes provision for property owners to pay the tax for 2014 in equal instalments over the period from January 1st to the end of December.’’

Mr Kenny said Minister for Finance Michael Noonan had made it clear that the preference of the Government and the Department of Finance was to receive the payments in 2014.

The Taoiseach said he was well aware the Revenue Commissioners had sent the letters to people who were not on direct debits.

There was no question, he added, as had been suggested, that there was a “Government money grab’’.

Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin said there was an incoherence at the heart of Government on the topic.

He added that the legislation could be amended to say that nobody should be required to pay next year’s tax this year.

Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams said it was unfair to ask people to pay next year's tax this year.