asked the Minister for Finance whether he will introduce proposals for legislation forthwith to prevent any increase being made in the valuation of any land, turf bog or turf bank used for the production of turf and to compensate the people whose valuations were so increased during the past seven years by having the payments made by them as a result of such increased valuation refunded.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Valuation of Turf Banks.
I am not prepared to introduce proposals for legislation on the lines suggested by the Deputy. Considering that the existing practice of valuing turbary has been in operation for a century, that the scale of valuation is moderate and that it is open to the ratepayer at any time to apply for a revision downwards in the event of a fall in net receipts, such legislation would not be justified.
Can the Minister say if that was the policy of Fine Gael a few years ago?
There was an attempt made to introduce a Private Members' Bill by a Deputy of the Fine Gael Party, but the Deputy's colleagues voted it down on First Reading.
Why not produce it again?
There is no use in producing it when I see an array of Deputies in front of me who would oppose it.