SLIGO, IRELAND—Sinn Fein Councillor Arthur Gibbons has publicly called for the abolition of the property tax on the family home, labelling the levy as “extortion” and questioning its fundamental legality.
Cllr Gibbons introduced a motion at last Monday’s Sligo County Council monthly meeting, urging the local authority to formally call upon the government to scrap the tax.
Questioning Legality and Allegations of Hypocrisy
Speaking in support of his motion, Cllr Gibbons directly challenged the legal basis for the tax, particularly for homeowners who are still paying off a mortgage. “I took out a mortgage for 25 years, the house was not mine until the mortgage was fully paid,” he argued, suggesting that taxing a home before full ownership is attained is unjust.
He went further to dismiss the term “property tax,” asserting, “It’s not a property tax, it’s a tax on your home.”
The Councillor also highlighted what he views as political hypocrisy regarding the tax. He recalled that former Taoiseach Enda Kenny had once remarked on the tax’s “unjust” nature, yet implemented it shortly after gaining power. “A glimpse of hope had been offered when Enda Kenny said how unjust it was and what was the first thing he did when he got into power,” Cllr Gibbons stated.
The motion now seeks the backing of Sligo County Council to lobby the government for the tax’s immediate removal from family homes.
