asked the Minister for Finance whether, in view of the fact that the present system of determining ratheable valuation is based on legislation enacted over a century ago and that it is inequitable in many instances, he will consider the setting up of a commission to study the whole problem and make recommendations for its improvement.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Review of Valuation System.
The system, as such, of determining valuations, although based on century-old legislation, can itself hardly be described as inequitable. The anomalies that exist arise largely through the failure of individuals and local authorities to seek the revision of out-of-date valuations. In the circumstances. I very much doubt whether any advantage would be gained by setting up a commission of inquiry for the purpose suggested by the Deputy.
Is the Minister aware that the very steep increase in the valuation of reconstraucted houses is a barrier to work being carried out and that it is part of the old landlord tradition that if you made an improvement in your property you had to pay for it?
I do not know that that supplementary has any relevance to the question which is on the Order Paper, but when Deputy MacEoin was Minister for Justice he had ample opportunity for remedying the anomaly of which he complains.
He would have liked very much to do so.
Why did he not?
He had just as much difficulty as the Minister would have but the Minister's Party were supposed to be the best people to do all these things.
Could the Minister say whether or not the State could initiate any revision in valuation?
The commissioner has no power to initiate such a revision.
The local authority has that power?
The local authority or any private individual.