Kilkenny politician bashes Sinn Féin during heated speech in Dáil Éireann

Carlow-Kilkenny TD Peter 'Chap' Cleere (Fianna Fáil) took aim at Sinn Féin during a recent discussion on the 'Finance (Local Property Tax and Other Provisions) (Amendment) Bill 2025' in Dáil Éireann.

Deputy Cleere told the Dáil that Fianna Fáil supports the Bill, which he says 'will provide for a new method of calculating the local property tax liabilities in advance of the new valuation period set to commence in 2026'.

"The proposed changes to local property tax will mean that most homeowners will remain in their present valuation bands, which is to be welcomed," he said. 

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"What I am most pleased about in this particular proposal is that the next valuation period will last for a period of five years. This will give certainty to homeowners throughout the country, including in my constituency of Carlow-Kilkenny."

After further explaining his reasoning for supporting the Bill, he turned his attention to Sinn Féin.

"I listened to previous speakers, particularly Sinn Féin members on the opposition benches," he said.

"Sinn Féin has opposed property tax every single year since its inception. I note that Sinn Féin is very heavily represented on the opposition benches this evening because it cares so much about the local property tax..."

Deputy Cleere then went on to note that when Kilkenny County Council increased its property tax, the 'benefits that came to every single community in the county were unbelievable'.

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He continued: "While Sinn Féin has opposed every single property tax amendment that was brought forward in Kilkenny County Council and actually proposed to reduce the property tax by 15%, not once did Sinn Féin say which playgrounds it would shut down, which roads it was not going to fund, which libraries it was going to close or which community groups that get amenity grants in the constituency were going to lose funding as a result.

"All we are hearing from Sinn Féin is soundbite after soundbite. I will not sit here and take lectures from Sinn Féin on its economic policy. This Government does not have bags of sterling lying around. As a country, we have to make sure that each local authority has the opportunity, ability and capacity to make sure it is doing right by its county.

"Kilkenny was able to get way more roads done as a result of the local property tax."

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