asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he is aware that there has been a campaign for non-payment of rates in County Dublin; and whether he is satisfied with the steps taken generally by the Commissioner for the Dublin County Council to ensure that ratepayers meet their due obligations, and, in particular, his recent action in enforcing the sale of a farm because of the continued failure of the owner to meet these obligations.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Payment of County Dublin Rates.
I am aware that an organised campaign to withhold payment of rates existed in County Dublin and that since the appointment of the commissioner for the county council the collection of rates in the county has vastly improved.
The manner in which these rates are collected is one entirely for the local authority and I am sure that in carrying out his duties in this respect the commissioner gives due consideration to the circumstances of defaulting ratepayers. Where, however, a ratepayer has failed to pay rates for a considerable number of years, I do not see that he should get special treatment as, by such default, additional burdens are placed on the general body of ratepayers who have met their obligations. Where the commissioner finds it necessary to resort to the extreme course of recovering rates through the sale of property of defaulting ratepayers, he should have the full support and co-operation of the community in the adoption of this course. It is the commissioner's bounden duty to collect the public rates. For this purpose the law gives him power to distrain and enforce the sale of property and if, by organised action, these powers were to be circumvented and rendered ineffective, the results would be highly detrimental to the maintenance of the public services. I have, therefore, every commendation for a purchaser who has sufficient public spirit to acquire a holding which has been offered for sale because of the non-payment of rates and who is prepared to devote the holding to proper uses and meet the public charges assessed thereon. I am sure the general body of ratepayers will share these views.