Vol. 221 No. 4
asked the Minister for Finance if, having regard to the cost which has to be borne by the rates of municipal services such as water supplies, refuse collections, sewerage, fire protection, etc. to new buildings such as skyscraper office buildings in the centre of Dublin, he will have steps taken to expedite the valuation of such buildings for rating purposes so as to avoid the loss suffered by Dublin Corporation in providing such services before rates become payable on such buildings.
21.
asked the Minister for Finance whether the accommodation occupied by the State in O'Connell Bridge House, Hawkins House, St. Stephen's Green House, Ansley House and Liberty Hall will be valued for rating in the forthcoming financial year; and, if not, why.
I propose, with your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, to take Questions Nos. 20 and 21 together.
I would refer the Deputy to my reply of 15th February to a previous question by him, in which I explained the reasons why these properties did not appear in the Revised Valuation list published on 1st March, 1965.
Under the Valuation Acts, it is the function of the local authority to initiate the valuation of new buildings or the revision of valuations in other cases by referring all such cases to the Commissioner of Valuation. The valuation of buildings, appeals against valuations, etc., follow a statutory procedure with which I cannot interfere. It is the function of the local authority to publish, on the 1st March in each year, a revised valuation list showing the properties valued for rating in accordance with the statutory procedure and conditions. Particulars of all properties valued for rating in Dublin will be found in the lists published today. As the steps necessary to secure valuation of properties and to publish information concerning valuations lie with the local authorities, inquiries about the rateability of particular properties should be more appropriately addressed to these authorities.
