asked the Minister for the Environment if, in view of the widespread dissatisfaction with the imposition of charges by local authorities for domestic services, particularly for water supply and refuse collection, he has any proposals to abolish these charges.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Domestic Service Charges.
13.
The revenue which local authorities derive from making charges for local services is necessary for the financing of the services which they provide, and I have no plans for abolishing that system. I believe that while charges are being withheld in certain cases, mainly in the larger urban centres — and that this is being encouraged and promoted by certain interests — there is wide and increasing public recognition and acceptance that the charges are necessary and reasonable. People who do not pay the charges which are legally due are, of course, sponging off others in this respect as well as undermining local service standards and employment. It is a matter for each local authority to decide on the action to be taken in such cases.
Would the Minister not agree that the only way in which local authorities can manage to collect any or a large portion of this money is through blackmail? Is he aware that, for instance, Cork Corporation are now threatening to withhold higher education grants from people whose parents have not paid the water charges? Does he agree that these are the kind of tactics in which local authorities should be engaging in order to impose this new tax?
I am sorry that the Deputy should use a word such as "blackmail" in relation to this matter. Bills are sent out in the normal way and we are all aware that there is in operation a waiver scheme. It is known that when consideration has been given to the income of families and it has been established that they are in a position to pay the appropriate local authority has the right to pursue those charges in whatever way they wish. I do not regard the Deputy's suggestion of "blackmail" as being fair to local authorities who are endeavouring to make funds available to provide necessary services within their functional areas. The Cork problem has been brought to my notice today and I intend to inquire into its circumstances.
Does the Minister agree with the action of Kildare County Council who are attempting to use the provisions of the Offences Against the State Act against persons who are protesting against this new tax? Does he consider that constitutes a proper way for local authorities to act in order to impose this new tax?
I am concerned that the moneys that local authorities require can be collected locally, that local public officials or representatives might indeed encourage constituents who perhaps support them to pay this tax, thereby maintaining employment in their respective areas and rendering the services required by people in those areas.
A Cheann Comhairle, regarding——
The Deputy has 24 or 25 counties left and I have no intention of allowing him to travel around them county by county——
A Cheann Comhairle, I think you should allow me ask a question before judging. I intend remaining in County Kildare for the moment.
Perhaps I was issuing a caveat to the Deputy.
The Minister has not answered the question I asked. Does he agree that Kildare County Council should use the provisions of the Offences Against the State Act against persons who are protesting at the imposition of these rates, not people who have refused to pay but simply people who are protesting against the imposition of this new tax?
I am not aware that Kildare County Council use the provisions of the Offences Against the State Act in pursuing people for charges.
Nevertheless the facts are that they have used the provisions of the Offences Against the State Act against them.
Seeing that Kildare County Council has been mentioned, is the Minister aware that the greatest source of intimidation in Kildare is that emanating from members of The Workers' Party themselves who have denied people the opportunity of paying such charges at £1 per week when such a system was devised — and who intimidate people outside the centres set up for such payment by standing there, taking their names and advising them not to pay? Does the Minister not consider that to be a source of great intimidation also?
Hear, hear.
I am well aware of those tactics.
If I may ignore the inaccuracies on the part of the member of Kildare County Council who has agreed to allow Kildare County Council use the provisions of the Offences Against the State Act against persons who are protesting at the imposition of water rates, may I ask the Minister——
This argument should be pursued at some chapel gate or in some hall. I am calling Deputy Molloy.
Does the Minister propose introducing any farm rates, for instance, to replace the farmer taxation——
That is a separate question. I am calling Deputy Molloy.
Would the Minister not agree that there would not be any necessity for these new local charges if the Government replaced the farm rates abolished more than a year ago?
Was the Cork city manager in touch with the Minister's Department prior to the issue of the letter in which he threatened to withdraw higher education grants in the cases of families who had not paid the water service charges? Had there been any consultation between him or his Department and Cork Corporation?
I am not aware of any consultation having taken place with my Department.
Does the Minister approve of the action of the Cork city manager in this matter and, if not, what does he intend doing about it?
I have said that I shall be looking into the circumstances of this case which was brought to my notice this morning through a report in a local Cork paper. I want to investigate its circumstances before making any judgment on the matter.
Would the Minister say whether the Cork city manager had legal authority to threaten to withhold the payment of education grants in this way?
I am calling question No. 14.
A Cheann Comhairle, will the Minister also inquire into the use of the provisions of the Offences Against the State Act on the part of Kildare County Council——
I have called question No. 14.
On a point of order, a Cheann Comhairle——
Deputy Gregory, the Chair has discretion to decide when a reasonable number of supplementary questions have been answered. The Chair is firmly of the opinion that this question has been adequately dealt with and has called Question No. 14.
I am asking permission to ask a supplementary.
I have called Question No. 14.
You are being most unreasonable.