Vol. 471 No. 4
48 Miss Coughlan asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider exempting livestock marts from commercial rates in view of their inability to pay rates; if he will consider reclassifying livestock marts from industrial units to service industries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20997/96]
The valuation legislation, for which the Minister for Finance has responsibility, makes no provision for inability to pay and it is not considered appropriate that the valuation legislation deal with this issue. The collection of rates is a matter for each local authority and the Minister has no function in this regard. All commercial and industrial property is valued on the same basis i.e. by reference to net annual value.
