Labour: Property levy will batter poor families

LOW-INCOME families risk being “battered” by the re-introduction of a property levy so tax exiles and the super-rich can keep their perks, Labour warned last night.

The looming report by the Commission on Taxation, which is set to impose €800 a year duty on the average home, became a political battleground as the commission’s membership was accused of being biased towards the interests of the rich.

Labour social and family affairs spokeswoman Roisin Shortall said the commission appeared to be targeting the poor for punishment. Ms Shortall saidappointees to the 17-person body were “disproportionately skewed towards those who have had a professional relationship with the wealthy”.