P. J. Sheehan
Question:24 Mr. Sheehan asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the efforts and progress, if any, he has made to date in exempting aquaculture and mariculture buildings and structures from a rate demand. [16426/98]
Priority Questions. - Fish Farms.
As I advised the House last November I have been actively pursuing the issue of rates on fish farms with the Minister for Finance with a view to obtaining a satisfactory resolution for the industry.
The aquaculture industry has made a persuasive case for fish farms to be given parity of treatment with the agriculture sector which is exempted from rates under existing valuation legislation. The disparity in the treatment between aquaculture and agriculture under the valuation Acts needs to be addressed given the obvious similarities of both sectors.
My ongoing discussions with the Minister for Finance on this issue have been constructive to date and, while not wishing in any way to pre-empt the Government's decision in the matter, I remain very hopeful that the matter can be positively dealt with in the forthcoming Bill to amend the valuation Acts. I will be glad to advise the Deputy further at the earliest opportunity.
I welcome the information conveyed by the Minister of State. I am amused he is not more confident of having this anomaly addressed in the forthcoming valuation Bill. Can I take it the matter will be addressed in the valuation Bill to be introduced later in the year?
I am confident we will succeed in this matter. A draft memorandum for Government on the valuation Bill was circulated to Government Departments in February following strenuous representations made to me and representations by me to the Minister for Finance. The draft memo included a proposal to concede the relief from rates to facilities used for the rearing and breeding of fish. It went on to state that property used for processing, storage and retail of fish products will continue to be rateable. Following a meeting between my Department officials and officials of the Department of Finance and the Valuation Office that has now changed. I expect the heads of the valuation Bill will be presented to Cabinet this week.