Home tax payers’ data will be safe, Hogan promises

RED-FACED ministers were forced to promise worried householders their private data would be safe after the controversial homes tax got off to an embarrassing beginning.

The launch of the website where householders register for the €100 levy saw some people charged twice, while Data Protection Commissioner Billy Hawkes expressed strong concern the Government planned to use personal information stored by ESB to target non-payers.

Mr Hawkes said the move was a “disturbing development”, as Environment Minister Phil Hogan announced the holding of crunch talks with the commissioner on the issue next week.