asked the Taoiseach whether he is aware that a number of county councils and county committees of agriculture have by resolution requested him to provide Parliamentary time for the motion on the Order Paper seeking the reduction of rates on property and the derating of agricultural land; and, if so, whether he will take action on these resolutions.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Derating of Agricultural Land.
I understand that a resolution in the terms indicated by the Deputy was, on his proposal, adopted at a meeting last March of a county committee of agriculture of which he is a member and that it was circulated to other county committees and to county councils and was adopted by some of those bodies.
As regards the question of providing time for the discussion of the motion to which the Deputy refers, I would draw his attention to the long-standing practice of this House that time is not made available for Private Deputies' Business until the financial business has been disposed of. It will not be practicable, therefore, to consider the question of providing time for the discussion of the motion in which the Deputy is interested until after the Summer Recess.
Having regard to the very serious nature of the position which has arisen in connection with rates and to the enormous increase in rates in the last couple of years, would the Taoiseach consider the desirability of doing something in the matter? If it is not possible to afford time for the discussion of this motion, would he consider introducing legislation himself fixing a statutory limit on rates on property?
No.