Vol. 260 No. 14
asked the Minister for Local Government if, in view of the present serious rates burden on glasshouses and similar type of farm buildings built prior to 1st March, 1959, he will introduce amending legislation to apply the terms of the Local Government (Reduction of Valuation) Act, 1966 to such buildings.
109.
asked the Minister for Local Government if, having regard to the rates relief granted to horticulturists in respect of glasshouses erected subsequent to 1960 and particularly in view of pending competition in the Common Market, he will now take steps to de-rate all glasshouses used in the horticultural industry irrespective of the date of their erection; and, if not, why.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 108 and 109 together. The introduction of amending legislation as suggested is not contemplated.
Surely the Minister must agree that there is something wrong with the system whereby a man who provided an acre of glass in 1959 pays from £300 to £600 in rates whereas a man who provided an acre of glass in 1960 is free from rates? There is something wrong and it should be corrected.
De-rating did not apply just to glasshouses. It applied to all farm buildings. If the Valuation Office decided that glasshouses built for commercial purposes are to be considered as farm buildings and to qualify for de-rating then the situation the Deputy has mentioned could have arisen. One must remember that at the time the de-rating was introduced it was done for a specific purpose, namely, to boost the construction of farm buildings. It would be very difficult to go back before that period and extract the buildings which had been erected as farm buildings and to exclude them for rating purposes. I have had a look at this. It would present a very great practical difficulty. I do not think the Deputy can expect much change in the situation.
I agree with what the Minister has said, but the Minister should consider productive buildings such as glasshouses and treat them all alike. Otherwise a very big problem is created as between competitors, one of whom pays £10 to £12 a week in rates while the other pays no rates.
I would agree that there is an anomaly.
In view of the seriousness of the anomaly, for the reasons pointed out by the Deputy. Would the Minister remove the anomaly?
I will have another look at it.
The Minister should.
