Vol. 218 No. 2
asked the Minister for Local Government if he will now state, with reference to the Taoiseach's statement of 22nd March last at Ballyshannon that the question of the incidence of rates and the possibility of some charges being transferred to central funds were being investigated, whether such investigation has been completed; and at what date he expects to announce the results of the investigation and any proposed Government action on these results.
41.
asked the Minister for Local Government if he is aware that thousands of ratepayers in the country are finding it impossible to pay the present rates demanded; and what relief he has in mind for (a) rural ratepayers and (b) urban ratepayers all of whom find great difficulty in present circumstances in meeting their rate demands.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 40 and 41 together. The first interim report—Valuation for Rating Purposes—of the inter-departmental committee which has been investigating the system of local finance and taxation was published recently. Progress has been made in the investigations into other aspects of the system, but the stage has not yet been reached where proposals for the introduction of any necessary changes can be presented to the House.
In view of the very businesslike, reasonable, justifiable protests made by the NFA and others in connection with high rates, does the Minister propose to provide any other reasonable relief this year and next year in rural and urban areas?
What have the NFA to do with urban rates? Are they interested in them?
They are.
Of course, they are. Does the Minister expect to have new relief for the ratepayers, whether urban or rural, this year or next year?
Just the one dozen and odd million pounds we are giving at the moment. That is a fair contribution at present, particularly having regard to the people who have been making the protests.
£12 million is going on relief of rates at present.
I am addressing my question to one Minister. Does the Minister remember the occasion when he was advocating, and indeed, promised, complete derating of agricultural land?
That does not arise.
Would the Deputy mind giving the quotation, the time and date of the report and where it appeared?
It was a general declaration.
Never mind that; let us have what I said.
The President said it in 1932. He promised complete derating for farmers.
Question No. 42.
