THE €100 a year household charge is likely to be replaced in a little more than a year by a comprehensive property tax.

The property tax will be on a graduated scale based on the size or value of a house and the details are due to be worked out over the next few months.

The Cabinet agreed to proceed to a quick decision on the basis of the report from the expert group with a view to having a comprehensive property tax system in place by 2013.

Whatever system is agreed by the Government, most householders will have to pay considerably more than the €100 flat charge for 2012 which is due to be paid by the end of next March.

Oh.

Ministers decide to bring forward property tax (Irish Times)

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Arrows of rain seem to pelt a dragonfly in Indonesia’s Riau Islands in Shikhei Goh’s winning image, ‘Splashing‘: a “very striking macrophotography image that rose to the top of the nature category for me because of its originality, beautiful light, rare action in a close-up image, as well as its technical perfection,” said Tim Laman, one of three National Geographic magazine photographers who judged the contest.

“You can almost feel the dragonfly’s experience of bracing itself against the weather,” said judge Amy Toensing. “When I look at it, I want to say, Hold on tight little buddy!”

See the rest of the winners here

Journalism Is Messy

Journalism is a messy, imperfect trade. In the course of producing a daily newspaper or operating a news website, hundreds of decisions and judgment calls must be made every week. We try very hard to maintain the highest professional standards, to make the right call, to spot the potential pitfalls and to be fair to the people about whom we’re writing.

Hugh Linehan, online editor Irish Times. IT, today

 

Send In The State-Appointed Goons…

“Justice requires that Minister for Communications Pat Rabbitte sets up an independent inquiry into why the RTÉ programme Mission to Prey was broadcast last May in its then form. Such an inquiry might also look into the choice of title for the programme. And, in the face of widespread public concern, such an inquiry should examine how RTÉ has dealt with fallout from that programme – up to, including and since its settlement in the High Court last Wednesday. In an era when the media have rightly been demanding openness, transparency and accountability of all of our institutions, this is not just a case of being seen to be even-handed.”

Patsy McGarry, Irish Times Religious Affairs Correspondent. IT, November 22

Thanks Yerman
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