What is in this Bill is little; it is not much. It is a very insignificant gesture on the part of the Minister to ease a very serious, widespread grievance in the country. Although hampered by the terms and long title of the Bill we on this side of the House endeavoured to amend the Bill in Committee, to widen its scope, to make its concessions more generous and generally to give it some reality. Unfortunately, the Committee of the House were against us in that and the Bill passed through Committee in the same way as it entered it—an insignificant measure that falls far short of requirements. All we can say now is that we hope whatever little concession is given in the operation of this Bill will impress the Minister or future Ministers that the problem of rate relief and valuation reform must be tackled in the very near future. More and more people realise the fearful consequences in store for them if they do anything, even of a trivial nature, to their premises. They realise that even a small improvement will result in the imposition of considerable taxation. That brings about a condition of stagnation so far as business is concerned and a general feeling of insecurity. We on this side of the House hoped to solve that situation by the Bill which we introduced some months ago but which was not adopted by the House. I do not think the present Bill goes any worthwhile distance towards solving the problem but, in so far as it is a little step forward, it has our good wishes.
Local Government (Temporary Reduction of Valuation) Bill, 1953— Final Stages.
Mr. O'Higgins
Because of the way in which this institution is fashioned it is only natural that members of the Opposition will try to enlarge and expand proposals of this kind which are introduced. Deputy Cogan, on Second Reading, reminded the Deputies opposite that a Government has responsibility and the position of those having responsibility is very different from the position of members of the Opposition Party.
Deputy O'Higgins referred to the fact that the country is clamouring for a remodelling of valuation methods and our whole valuation system. I do not know what Deputies mean when they talk like that. On a previous occasion I reminded the House that a revaluation measure was introduced by one of my predecessors.
Mr. O'Higgins
Which was killed by Fianna Fáil back benchers.
It was killed by a general wave of hostility. It did not go its length because an election, as far as I can remember, intervened.
Mr. O'Higgins
Oh no. The Fianna Fáil Party had a complete overall majority in this House.
I am only trying to give what my recollection is. The members of the Fianna Fáil Party are elected by the people, they are in touch with the farmers, with businessmen and with landowners, and they are entitled in the Party to express their opinion to me or to any other Minister, as are Deputies of any other Party, in regard to any matter which they think does not meet with public goodwill or is not supported by public feeling. Even if it were the case, why should they not; and why should not the Minister, speaking for them and for the House, be influenced by such expressions of opinion? After all, Deputy O'Higgins could have taken some steps as a member of this House—for a shorter period, I admit, than we have had the responsibility.
Mr. O'Higgins
I introduced a Bill which you threw out.
I am talking about a Revaluation Bill.
Mr. O'Higgins
I am not advocating revaluation.
I am talking about the statement made by Deputy O'Higgins that because of the chaotic condition of our rural valuation system some effort should be made by the Government to recondition it and refashion it. These words are all very well, they are nice to listen to, but they mean nothing, because the Deputy who gives expression to them does not follow them up and say what the result would be.
This measure is designed to encourage people in business and elsewhere who might not otherwise carry out certain desirable improvements, which in themselves would give employment, and so on. We have gone as far as we could reasonably go, having regard to the other interests involved in this. There are such other interests and Deputy O'Higgins, if he were more closely connected with local bodies, would have learned what those interests are. We can all be very generous —and members of the Opposition Parties can be generous—when a measure of this nature is introduced, in efforts to expand it and spread it and to relieve further burdens from those whom the measure is intended to relieve. However, urban councils must, according to law, pay county demands on the basis of gross valuation. Certain hardships may result even from the provisions of this measure as it is.
Mr. O'Higgins
Certainly.
Of course, if we were to go the whole way, these hardships would be much greater. The measure is entirely suitable for the purpose for which it is designed. I am sure it will be appreciated by those who, in the years ahead, will proceed to make use of it. They will obtain the advantages of these improvements themselves, while there will be a consequent effect on the countryside and in towns and villages because of the employment that will occur as a result of the provisions of this Bill.