Vol. 431 No. 1
49 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for the Environment the proposals, if any, he has to replace financial allocations to local authorities, and also a segment of direct and indirect taxation, by allowing local authorities to raise local taxes, without having the overall taxation burden increased.
98 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for the Environment if, in order to provide a settled and adequate basis for local government finances, he will consider the creation of a local government fund to be composed of designated small portions of national income tax, VAT and excise in a similar manner to the present allocation for Ireland's annual EC contribution.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 49 and 98 together.
53 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for the Environment the reason for the delay in introducing a taximeter system in Waterford city; and when he intends to introduce this system.
Taximeter area status was applied to 12 additional urban areas, including Waterford city, in October 1991 arising from interim recommendations of an interdepartmental committee which was set up to review the law relating to the operation of small public service vehicles. The mandatory installation and use of taximeters in taxis in those areas was, however, deferred pending completion of the review process. I am now finalising consideration of the issues raised in that review with a view to taking early decisions in relation to a range of issues relating to taxis and hackneys, including the use of taximeters and the associated question of fare controls.
