asked the Minister for Local Government whether he has received representations regarding the rating position in Buncrana, County Donegal; and whether in view of the proximity of the striking of the new rate he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Buncrana (Donegal) Rating Position.
18.
It is proposed to introduce legislation to provide that for the year 1960/61 the county demand on Buncrana will be calculated on the basis of .7 of the net produce of a rate of 1d. This will have the effect of placing Buncrana in the position in regard to the county demand in which it is estimated it would be if the general revision of valuations requested by the then urban district council in 1950 had not been made and only normal increases in valuation had since taken place. The immediate effect of the proposed legislation will be to reduce by approximately £3,700 the county demand on Buncrana for the year 1960/61.
The legislation will also provide that the fraction .7, proposed for 1960/61 will increase by .01 in each subsequent year until at the end of thirty years the county demand will be calculated in the normal way on the full amount of the net produce of a 1d. rate.
Would the Minister say if the full benefits of this proposed legislation will be effective from the first of April next?
That is a matter which has activated me in giving to the House, in reply to the Deputy's question, the information I have now given, in order to enable the Buncrana Urban District Council to take cognisance of our intentions before they actually strike a rate but it is a matter for the local authorities to determine what they will do.
Could the Minister say when legislation will be introduced?
It will be brought in as part of a Remission of Rates Bill which is under review at the moment. It is a matter of getting it to the House and I cannot say within a matter of days when it will be introduced but it should not be very long.
The Minister will appreciate that what he is asking the Urban Council to do is to strike a rate taking into account legislation which he proposes to introduce later and which he suggests may be passed by the House?
No. The Minister has not suggested any such thing. I made it quite clear that it is a matter for the Buncrana Urban Council and the Donegal County Council. The information is now available to them and what action they may take is for them to decide.