asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state particulars of (a) all property in possession of the Electricity Supply Board, together with details of the Rateable Valuation and Rates for each such property; (b) whether in respect of any such property the rates are still unpaid; and (c) in which of these properties stocks are carried for the sale of electrical goods to the public.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Electricity Board's Rates.
Mr. Hogan
A descriptive list of all the property throughout the Saorstát constructed by, transferred to, or acquired by the Electricity Supply Board would be a very long and detailed document, which it would take a considerable time to prepare. As I explained in reply to the Deputy on the 27th November, it is a doubtful matter of law whether any of the property of the Board is at present rateable, and because of that doubt, no payment in the nature of rates has yet been made by the Board. As I stated on the 27th November, legislation dealing with this matter will be introduced at an early date, and I would suggest that the question should be deferred until a copy of the Bill is available, when particulars in a shorter and less detailed form than the present question would involve, may prove sufficient for the Deputy's purpose.
The last part of the question is not answered, I presume, because it would also involve a long detailed list. I should like to point out at this stage that traders in the city of Dublin are very much concerned about the fact that the Electricity Supply Board can trade in competition with them, and that the Board are exempt from rates and income tax.