asked the Minister for Local Government if he is aware of the dissatisfaction with the present rating system for local government finance which is causing hardship and anomalies throughout the country, especially through the health service charges; if he will introduce a system which would relate liability for local taxation to income; and if the findings of the Commission on Local Finance will be published without delay so that such a new system can be put into operation.
Ceisteanna—Questions Oral Answers. - Local Taxation System.
208.
The White Paper on Local Finance and Taxation, which will be published shortly, will deal with all aspects of the system of local taxation. In the meantime, I do not propose to make any statement which would anticipate the White Paper's proposals.
(Cavan): Would the Minister please tell us when he proposes to publish this White Paper and will he give an assurance to the House that local government re-organisation will not involve a big problem of financing?
I do not accept the Deputy's implication that structural changes cannot be considered before the proposals on local finance are published. It is of course, a considerable problem to deal with the restructuring of local authorities and this will involve some considerable financial changes. I can assure the House that the White Paper will be published within four weeks.
(Cavan): When the Minister refers to local government re-organisation does he take into consideration the phrase “viable unit”? Does the Minister think he can decide——
As I said, I do not accept that the financial proposals must come first.
Does the Minister know what the word "viable" means?