asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state whether the Electricity Supply Board has paid all the local rates due on buildings and other undertakings acquired by it; and, if not, if he will state the areas in which the rates have not been paid, the amounts outstanding in each case, and the reason why such rates have not been paid.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Electricity Supply Board and Local Rates.
In reply to a similar question on 4th December last. I explained that it is doubtful what property of the Electricity Supply Board is rateable, and that consequently no payment in the nature of rates was being made pending the introduction of a Bill dealing with the matter.
Such a Bill is almost ready, and I would suggest that its introduction should be awaited, when it may prove unnecessary to undertake the considerable labour which the preparation of the particulars asked for in the question would involve.
Will this Bill make it incumbent upon the Electricity Supply Board to make payments retrospectively?
Yes, that is the proposal.