Fianna Fáil Councillors on Dublin City Council have met Party Leader Micheál Martin to launch their campaign against the introduction of a value based property tax in 2013.

Dublin City Council will vote on a motion next month (Nov 5th) opposing the introduction of a tax that Fianna Fáil has described as 'unfair and anti-urban'.

Fianna Fáil Group Leader on Dublin City Council, Mary Fitzpatrick said: "Fianna Fáil is mobilising a campaign across the city to inform people of the consequences of allowing Fine Gael and Labour to hit thousands of families with extra taxes based on the value of their home at this time. It is crazy to expect people who are in negative equity, have already paid stamp duty and are struggling to meet mortgage repayments to pay further taxes on their home.

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"This is the wrong tax at the wrong time. We want to give people an opportunity to voice their opposition to this unfair and unreasonable tax. By logging on to www.wrongtaxwrongtime.ie people can sign a petition which will be presented to the next meeting of the City Council.

"While banks continue to punish homeowners with interest rate increase on their mortgages, far from trying to help, Fine Gael and Labour are prepared to make matters worse. For an average home in Dublin, taken out with mortgage of around €300,000, the latest increases from AIB and Bank of Ireland amount to a monthly increase in repayments of €100 a month. The Taoiseach confirmed he was not prepared to show leadership with the banks and intervene on the issue of interest rates.

"The addition of a value-based property tax will push struggling mortgage holders over the edge. The cost of that tax in Dublin would range from €300 to over €1,000, which is completely unaffordable."

(CD/GK)