asked the Minister for Local Government whether, in view of the serious hardship and losses suffered by farmers by reason of annual flooding of their lands, and of the fact that remedial measures under the arterial drainage scheme will take a long time to put into operation, he will make special funds available to local authorities to enable them to give complete remission of rates to the farmers affected between the months of October and March.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Remission of Rates on Flooded Lands.
32.
As the known liability of certain land holdings to periodic flooding is reflected in the valuation of those holdings, I do not consider that there is any special need for further relief from rates in respect of such holdings.
Surely the Minister is not serious when he suggests that the value of certain lands was taken into consideration, when it is a fact that these lands were subject to flooding over the past 15 to 20 years. Is it not a fact that large areas of land in parts of the country have been subject to flooding in the past 15 years and that there is no remission of rates on such land? Would the Minister in the circumstances give sympathetic consideration to the suggestion?
There is of course available to the local authority adequate powers for dealing with any situation such as mentioned by the Deputy, by reason of recent flooding or whatever the cause might be. That power is available to them under the Public Bodies Order 1946 which enables the local authority to write off part of the rates if they have good reason to regard them as irrecoverable.
I take it the Minister will in the circumstances come to the aid of a local authority where such action is taken? Surely it is not fair to burden a poor part of the country with loss of income as a result of giving this easement to people whose lands are constantly flooded?
They would not miss it.
The Minister or myself would not like to be deprived of salary for six months of the year. Would we not have to pay income tax on it? Surely a farmer whose land is flooded for five months of the year should not be expected to pay rates?
In the particular circumstances of recently occurring flooding, it would not have been reflected in the original striking of valuation of those lands as would be the case where there would have been permanent flooding. This is a matter for the local authority to deal with and they are in a far better position to deal with this locally. It is to the local authority that these rates are being paid. If they feel strongly about it and feel that an injustice is being done, they have the remedy and are in a position to decide upon it.
Is it not a fact that this hardship is due to the delay in arterial drainage and until such action is taken, why should the local authority people be asked to pay for the relief of those people when the fault is due to the central Government for their failure to deal with it?
That could scarcely be accepted.
I only ask that the drainage scheme be implemented.
I do not think the Deputy could seriously suggest that as a good case. Drainage is being implemented at an increasing and accelerated rate. These lands and others will ultimately benefit from it. If a case is presented for any particular county, we will look into it. If the people are not satisfied with the local authorities, they have the remedy in their own hands. I do not think it proper that the central authority should be asked to implement a matter such as this.
Of course, they should.