Vol. 515 No. 1
27 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Finance if the heads of the Valuation Bill have been approved by Government; if one of these heads provides for the imposition of rates on bed and breakfast establishments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5296/00]
The Government has given approval for the preparation of legislation which will modernise the valuation code, enable a revaluation of all rateable properties to be carried out and make the system more transparent to ratepayers and rating authorities. It is intended to make the legislation as user-friendly as possible. There will, for example, be an improved appeals system. The parliamentary draftsman is currently finalising a draft which will be brought to Government as soon as the work is completed. The Government will consider the rateable status of bed and breakfast accommodation at that time.
Will the Minister clarify if it intended to impose rates on bed and breakfast accommodation? Is he aware that the majority of accommodation in rural Ireland is unapproved and not rated at the moment? There is a fear that if it is rated it will put many people out of business. Will he assure people in rural Ireland in particular who run successful bed and breakfast establishments that this proposal by Government will not impose rates on them?
I am very aware of all the issues surrounding bed and breakfast establishments in the marketplace. I have met representatives from many of the different organisations and I am fully conversant with all the points made. When the Government approved the general scheme of the Bill, it decided further consideration of the bed and breakfast issue was needed. The Bill is with the parliamentary draftsman at present and I hope to be able to bring it to Government in a matter of weeks.
Does the Minister of State believe that bed and breakfast establishments should be rated? Will he include in the Bill a licensing system rather than a valuation system for bed and breakfast establishments? If he wishes to protect the integrity of the tourism industry, will he agree that a licensing system for a certain period of the year would be far more acceptable than the imposition of rates on bed and breakfast establishments which would put many of them out of business?
I am responsible for the valuation Bill and the valuation base. It is vitally important that such legislation is put in place to create a more transparent and open system, particularly for rate payers. The Deputy has raised issues which are more relevant to other Departments. My job is to ensure that the valuation Bill is brought before this House as quickly as possible and to seek the support of members of the Oppo sition in supporting it. That is my intention in the immediate future.
That concludes Priority Questions. We will now proceed to Ordinary Questions to the Minister for Finance. I remind the House that these questions are governed by the overall time limit of six minutes, two minutes for the Minister's initial reply and a maximum of one minute for supplementary questions and supplementary replies.
