It was decided by all the parties at Roscommon County Council not to increase their property tax for the coming year, because of a national review being carried out in 2019.

“Obviously there will be an increase in 2019, so I propose to have property tax to remain in 2018 as it was in 2017,” said Cllr. Tony Ward, Independent at the council’s September meeting last week.

His proposal was seconded by his South Roscommon colleague, Cllr. John Keogh, who said the review in two years’ time may have significant impact on families, writes David Flynn.

“We will have to review matters in the lead up to that, and the last thing we want is to place further burdens,” said the Fianna Fail councillor.

Fine Gael’s Cllr. John Naughten, also from South Roscommon also supported the Ward proposal.

“It’s unfortunate that we are not in a position to reduce the property tax, but at least by allowing it to remain the same there is no extra burden on families,” said Cllr. Naughten.   “Hopefully we will be able to deliver additional services to people in the year ahead.”