People Before Profit (PBP) councillors in South Dublin County Council—Darragh Adelaide, Madeleine Johansson, Kay Keane, and Jess Spear—have called for the complete abolition of the Local Property Tax (LPT), denouncing it as an unfair burden on ordinary people. The councillors voted to reduce the LPT by the maximum 15% in the most recent council vote, saying the tax doesn’t account for people’s ability to pay and unfairly targets homeowners, many of whom are struggling to keep up with the rising cost of living.
Cllr. Darragh Adelaide explained the party’s stance: “We believe the Local Property Tax is fundamentally unjust because it hits people regardless of their income or financial situation. It’s an unfair tax on homeowners, particularly those who are already facing high housing costs, rising bills, and stagnant wages.”
Cllr Kay Keane said: “Our vote to reduce the LPT by 15% is a step towards alleviating some of the pressure on workers, but ultimately, we want to see the tax abolished altogether.”
Cllr. Madeleine Johansson, who was involved in the campaign against the introduction of the property tax during the recession, highlighted the regressive nature of the tax. “I was part of the movement against the property tax when it was brought in during the financial crash, and it remains as unjust today as it was then. It places the same financial burden on everyone, regardless of their ability to pay. People Before Profit is fighting for a fairer taxation system—one that doesn’t punish people for owning their own homes.”
Cllr. Jess Spear emphasized the party’s alternative vision for funding local services: “Instead of raising taxes on ordinary people, we should be increasing rates for big corporations like Amazon and Pfizer, which make huge profits in Ireland but pay minimal taxes. This would generate much-needed revenue for public services without placing the burden on homeowners. We need a tax system that targets those who can afford to pay, not those who are already struggling to make ends meet.”
People Before Profit is committed to continuing its campaign to abolish the LPT and replace it with more progressive tax policies that ensure large corporations pay their fair share. The party will work with local communities and other progressive groups to achieve this goal.
