There is just one point that interests me. The remission of rates was based originally on the policy of a joint contribution so far as the State and the local authority were concerned, the contribution of the local authority being in effect the remission of rates. The local authorities have honoured their obligation as from 1924 to this date in the remission of rates in various forms, but in the intervening period the contribution by the Government has lapsed. While I am quite prepared to say that the remission of rates so far as the local authorities are concerned is undoubtedly a stimulus to private building, I suggest that the local authority should not be the only benefactor in this matter. I want to ask the Minister, if he is not prepared to reintroduce the old grants as applying to persons covered by this particular Bill, will he indicate that he is prepared to divide the responsibility of the remission of rates as between the State and the local authority.
Committee On Finance. - Local Government (Remission of Rates) Bill, 1945—Committee and Final Stages.
The Minister to conclude.
I think the Lord Mayor is under a misapprehension, as I explained——
I am sorry to say that the Minister for Local Government and Public Health is under a misapprehension. He has not realised the situation.
Well, I think of him as if the mayoral dignity were still on him and I felt that the grandeur still surrounded him. I feel that Deputy Martin O'Sullivan is under a misapprehension. As I explained on the Second Stage of this Bill, its scope is exceedingly narrow. It applies only to those residences which have not been the subject of a grant or of a remission or relief of rates under any other statute. It applies to residences in respect of which no grant was ever made. While that is the position, it would nevertheless be an error to assume that because remission is given under this Bill the municipality does not benefit. The residences to which this Bill applies are substantial premises or buildings, the rateable value of which is substantially high. This is an inducement which, with the consent of the municipalities, is given to those who propose to erect such buildings, in order to get them to proceed, in times of some difficulty, with their erection, in the hope that ultimately the municipality will collect a revenue in rates from them.
(An Leas-Cheann Comhairle took the Chair.)
Is the Minister prepared to indicate whether or not it is his intention at a later stage—not in the immediate future—to reintroduce these grants?
I am afraid the Deputy is not in order. On the Fifth Stage he can refer only to matters which are in the Bill or argue why it should not be passed.
It is a very proper stage at which to put the query.
The Deputy must put it in some other way.