House levies slashed as councillors fear backlash

COUNCILLORS have forced half the country's local authorities to slash controversial levies on new homes due to be imposed today because they are afraid of a voter backlash in the June local elections.

Seventeen local authorities have cut the development levies by half in some cases and by a massive two thirds in Wicklow down from €17,500 to €5,000.

Environment Minister Martin Cullen has ordered all local authorities to bring in the Developer Contribution Scheme by March 10 to raise funds for infrastructure. And the Construction Industry Federation (CIF) insisted they will have to pass the levies on to new home owners.