Fianna Fáil said it is "unfair" for families who have been affected by flooding in Ireland to have to pay their property tax and is calling for it to be waived under new proposals.

Party Spokesperson on Public Expenditure and Reform Sean Fleming moved an amendment on the issue in the Dáil during the debate on the Finance (Local Property Tax) (Amendment) No.2 Bill.

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Deputy Fleming said: "I don't believe we can realistically say to these families that they must continue to be burdened with property taxes on homes they can't live in or have to spend months repairing because of huge flood damage.

"The Government is a position now to demonstrate a measure of compassion and give important relief for flooded homeowners. Under the Fianna Fáil proposals homes hit by flooding would be able to get relief from the property tax. We also believe there should be a commercial rates relief applied for businesses and self-employed people who have been flooded, who have suffered damage property, stock and loss of earnings because of a prolonged closure through no fault of their own."

(CD)