I did not have an opportunity, on Second Reading, of referring to the attitude taken up by the Minister when he replied. He gave the impression, on that occasion, that he was anxious to extend this principle and was proceeding gradually, but, he said, one of the difficulties was in dealing with existing rate collectors. If it is the policy of the Government to proceed gradually I might point out that there have been several vacancies in rate collectorships recently, and it would be quite possible, without any risk of dislocation, to experiment in these vacant areas. I see no difficulty in having two different methods of collecting in one county. I cannot accept, with the local knowledge that I have, the view that the Minister is serious about this. He is serious about the County Kerry, where the thing is established and is gone on with. I think, to use a popular expression, he should ginger up his own officials in this matter. They want gingering occasionally. There is a big saving involved as far as I can see. We pay sixpence in the £ now for collection, but I cannot conceive that it would cost anything like that if it was done through the post. I do not know how the estimate of threepence is arrived at. As far as any knowledge I have of the Government methods goes, I should say that the threepence is a mere guess. Of course the Minister may contradict me, and if I am wrong I will withdraw. I urge upon the Government the necessity of getting rid of all this patronage in the appointing of rate collectors. I suggest as vacancies occur they should get done with collectors once and for all.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT (COLLECTION OF RATES) BILL, 1926—FIFTH STAGE.
Motion made and question proposed: "That this Bill be received for final consideration and do now pass."
I strongly appeal to the Minister to do as suggested. I have maintained, for a long time, that rates can be collected through the post with much less expense and greater efficiency.
CATHAOIRLEACH
That is one of the purposes and objects of this Bill— to leave the power with the Minister if he wishes to put it in force.
Question put and agreed to.