asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health whether he has decided to introduce legislation to authorise the collection of rates upon dwelling-houses of small valuation from the landlord instead of from the tenant, and, if so, whether the measure will be introduced in time to allow local authorities to apply its provisions, if they become law, in the collection of rates in the financial year now about to commence.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - COLLECTION OF RATES FROM LANDLORDS.
DOMHNALL O MUIRGHEASA
I trust it may be possible to introduce in due course a Bill to deal suitably with this matter. There are, however, many very important considerations involved, and it will not be possible to pass a measure into law which would affect local rates in the coming financial year.
Would the Minister say what was the result of the investigations as to the opinion of the local authorities in the matter?
They were almost unanimously in favour of the Deputy's point of view.
Can the Minister give any indication of what else is in the way of introducing the Bill?
I think it might affect the Restriction of Rents Act and various other matters of that kind.
Does the Minister not know that the present position is responsible for local authorities carrying over enormous arrears of rates every year, and that it is creating chaos year after year?
I am well aware of it.