Property tax next year is "speculative", insists Taoiseach

The Taoiseach has described as "speculative" claims that the household charge would be replaced by a full property tax as early as next year.

Mr Kenny was speaking in New York yesterday where he rang the bell at the Stock Exchange for Ireland Day.

When asked about a claim that Labour wanted the full property tax to replace the household charge by next year - 12 months sooner than planned - he said: "The specialist group set up by the Minister for the Environment hasn’t reported yet. (When it does), the Government will make a decision.

"Anything else is speculative," he said.