asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he is aware of the grave hardship imposed on many farmers in County Dublin by reason of the severe pressure which is in operation for the collection of arrears of rates, and that the drastic methods adopted are seriously impeding food production in the county; and, if so, if he can take any steps to mitigate the present position.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Arrears of Rates in County Dublin.
The collection of rates is a matter entirely for the local authority and, except to see that it collects them with due care and diligence, it is not open to me to interfere in any way in the discharge of this statutory function. I am aware that, since the appointment of the Dublin County Commissioner, the collection of rates in the county has vastly improved. When arrears of rates were mounting in volume, the ratepayers who met their obligations were paying for the default of their non-ratepaying neighbours. The collection of arrears has changed that position and the general body of ratepayers have since benefited by a very considerable reduction in rates in some areas, amounting in some areas to over 7/- in the £ as compared with the year 1941-42. Therefore, instead of impeding production, every encouragement has been given to increasing production. I may say that I see no reason why special treatment should be given to the small number of ratepayers who have still defaulted in the payment of their rates and who, by doing so, place an additional burden on their neighbours who have met their obligations.
Is the Minister aware that an exceptional position prevails in the County Dublin, inasmuch as a considerable amount of arrears was allowed to accumulate before the commissioner took office? In view of that, does the Minister not realise that it would be in the public interest to ensure that the collection of these arrears would be carried out in such a manner as would not unduly impede production? Is the Minister aware that some of the people in default have offered the commissioner as much as three-fourths of the amount of arrears due—the total amount they were able to make up? In spite of that, their farms were put up for sale. Surely the Minister has a duty to see that, when a large amount of arrears is outstanding, proper arrangements are made to have them collected.
I am aware that the collection of rates in County Dublin has proceeded with every due consideration for the circumstances of the defaulting ratepayers. I am satisfied also that an organised campaign to withhold payment of the rates existed in County Dublin. We have broken that campaign and all I can say is that those now in default with regard to the payment of the rates will receive no more consideration than their circumstances warrant. Any person who can pay three-fourths of the accumulated arrears can well afford at this stage to pay the rates in full.
Will the Minister not take into consideration that the County Dublin is an exceptionally productive tillage county and that the City of Dublin is a very convenient centre? In view of the transport difficulties, would it not be the function of the Minister to see that production is carried out as efficiently as possible in the county and that the commissioner appointed by the Minister should not be allowed, by his oppressive and tyrannical measures, to impede production, such as by putting farms up for sale?
If the Deputy will contend that a reduction of 7/- in the £ in the rates this year, as compared with 1942, is an impediment to production, I cannot argue with him.