A TD representing Kildare South has criticised the increase in Local Property Tax (LPT), which was discussed at a recent Kildare County Council (KCC) meeting.
Sinn Féin TD for Kildare South, Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh, expressed her disappointment at the decision, which came about following two voting sessions at the latest full KCC meeting yesterday (July 28 last).
A motion tabled by Social Democrats councillor Nuala Killeen, which would have meant an effective 10 per cent reduction failed to win sufficient support. It was seconded by Sinn Féin councillor Noel Connolly and was voted down by 25 to 9.
Instead, a majority of councillors voted in favour of a counter proposal to retain the current rate of tax, which has a 10 per cent increase “baked-in” as a result of previous increases agreed by KCC.
That motion was put forward by Fianna Fáil Cllr Suzanne Doyle, was seconded by Fine Gael Cllr Evie Sammon, and was passed by 27 votes to 10.
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Speaking about the decision, Deputy Ní Raghallaigh voiced her view that the vote was “a slap in the face to the many households in Kildare” who made their voices heard through a previous public consultation.
She added: “The message was crystal clear: families are under massive pressure.
“Groceries, fuel, rent, childcare, mortgages — everything is up, and yet the council has now voted to add another burden on already stretched households.”
Deputy Ní Raghallaigh continued: “We in Sinn Féin opposed this increase; it is the wrong move at the wrong time.
“Increasing the LPT does nothing to address the real needs of working people in Kildare — it just shifts the burden further onto their shoulders.”
Sinn Féin TD for Kildare South, Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh. File photograph
She also took aim at the Labour Party’s support for the increase — she said: “For a party that claims to represent working people, their decision to side with Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil on this will not be forgotten by the many families they have let down today.”
A representative of the Labour Party has been contacted by the Leinster Leader for comment in response to her criticism.
Conversely, Deputy Ní Raghallaigh praised the councillors who opposed the increase: “I want to thank Cllr Noel Connolly and those who voted with us to stand up for ordinary workers and families.
“We will continue to fight for fairer funding models that don’t rely on regressive taxes like this to fund basic local services.”
She concluded: “We need to build a system that delivers for ordinary people — not punishes them.”
Deputy Ní Raghallaigh notably made headlines earlier this month when she welcomed the publication of a review pertaining to the Education for Persons with Special Education (EPSEN) Act 2004.
However, the Deputy, who is also her party’s spokesperson on Special Education, also warned at the time that “the real test lies now in delivery”.
She also made national headlines last month when she used the Provisional IRA phrase “Tiocfaidh ár lá” (“Our day will come”) in the Dáil.
As noted by the Irish Independent, the phrase was used at the end of a speech on extending voting rights to Irish citizens abroad, in particular for presidential elections, and marked the first time the phrase was used by a party member speaking in the chamber.
In response, Deputy Ní Raghallaigh defended her use of the phrase, telling the Sunday Independent: “I ended my speech saying that it is becoming shameful for us as a state, and us working towards a united Ireland — an Ireland for all. We must take this step, put it right and our day will come.”
When she was asked by the publication if she was “deliberately channelling” the slogan of the Provisional IRA, she replied: “I have replied here, and have nothing further to add.”
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