Cork County Council passes Sinn Féin motion to cut Property Tax

CORK County Council has become the first council in the state to vote to reduce the Local Property Tax by the maximum of 15% after a Sinn Féin motion was passed at its first meeting on Monday.

Sinn Féin Councillor Rachel McCarthy said:

"When we canvassed over the past few months, the Property Tax and the inability of people to afford it was a topic which came up often on the doorstep. The disappointment that even after paying it there was no improvement in the provision of local services was also very evident."

Noting that local councils have discretion to increase or decrease the Property Tax by 15%,  she said Sinn Féin is committed to abolishing the tax if in government.

Councillor Paul Hayes said the new 10-strong Sinn Féin team at County Hall was helping to change how local politics works.

"Sinn Féin said we would reduce the Property Tax and that process has now started," he said

"The electorate wanted and voted in favour of a break from the cosy consensus which existed previously, and I think we have begun that after just one meeting. Sinn Féin will fight to deliver on behalf of the citizens of Cork."

The motion was proposed by Councillor Melissa Mullane and seconded by Councillor Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire