FIANNA FAIL will tonight try to embarrass the Government parties over the controversial Residential Property Tax (RPT) by tabling a motion in the Dail calling for its abolition.
However, the motion, to be debated over three hours of Private Members' time tonight and tomorrow, faces certain defeat in spite of a widespread belief in political circles that the levy will be abolished next year by the Coalition.
A Government spokesman indicated it had moved to counter the Fianna Fail motion with an amendment noting its commitment in the Programme for Renewal to raise the liability threshold and its pledge to reform local government, including funding.
However, the Opposition is hopeful that the debate will "flush out" the Government's intention on how to deal with the tax in the face of a general election. It will also serve to potentially embarrass Government TDs coming under pressure from their constituents to take action on the tax.
The Progressive Democrats, who have stated their intention to get rid of the tax, will support the motion in tomorrow's Dail vote. The motion calls on the Government to abolish the levy, given that this form of taxation unfairly penalises those who reside within certain regions of the country".
Tabling the motion, the Fianna Fail spokesman on finance, Mr Charlie McCreevy, will highlight his party's intention to scrap the tax if it is returned to Government.
The Progressive Democrats spokesman on finance, Mr Michael McDowell, said last night his party wanted to see an end to the tax and "will not tolerate any monkeying around with the idea of rates . . . that is our bottom line".