No commitment from FF on scrapping of property tax

Fianna Fáil has not yet committed to scrapping the property tax if it is voted back in to Government, but said it will set out its stall in the run-up to next summer’s local and European elections.

Its pre-budget submission, published yesterday, calls for a suspension of the controversial charge next year because it will be damaging to the economy.

Michael McGrath, the party’s spokesman on finance, said that the charge should not be introduced when it doesn’t take account of ability to pay, and while the mortgage-arrears crisis has not been dealt with.