Sinn Féin has hit out at the consultation process regarding Local Property Tax (LPT) as "a sham exercise and a cynical attempt to pretend there has been meaningful consultation".

The consultation process allows the public to have their say on the LPT issue.

However, Sinn Féin's Spokesperson on the Environment, Community and Local Government Brian Stanley TD, said that the consultation period ends over the next couple of days and the public were not made aware of this.

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Deputy Stanley said: "The short time period available to make a submission and the failure to properly inform people that they have an opportunity to make their voice heard on the LPT shows that the 'consultation' is a deceitful exercise.

"It will not hide the fact that the government is imposing an unfair, regressive tax on householders which will have the greatest impact on thousands of citizens who already struggle to make ends meet.

"Minister Hogan, Enda Kenny and other Government spokespeople have said that the local property tax will be used for footpaths, street lighting, parks and local amenities yet this year €486 million, almost all of the money taken in from the tax, has gone to Irish Water.

"Since May’s election Sinn Féin councillors have been introducing motions at council level that would reduce the LPT by 15%, the maximum amount allowed under the existing legislation. This is in line with our pre-election commitments."

(CD/MH)