asked the Minister for Local Government if he will state whether any consideration has been given to the amendment of Section 78 of the Local Government Act, 1946, to enable local authorities to alter the names of public thoroughfares in accordance with the desire of the majority of those whom they represent, and thus terminate the position whereby one or two big ratepayers can impose their will on a much larger number of less highly rated occupiers.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Alteration of Street Names.
Section 78 of the Local Government Act, 1946, was designed to enable the appropriate local authority to change the name of a street with the consent of not less than four-sevenths of the ratepayers in the street, irrespective of the valuations of the hereditaments on which the rates were made. Under the section and the regulations made thereunder each rate payer has only one vote. The Minister has been advised, however, that the occupier, who is not also the owner of a house to which the Local Government (Rates on Small Dwellings) Act, 1928, applies is not a ratepayer for the purposes of Section 78 and accordingly is not entitled to vote. It is not known whether this position has operated to prevent any local authority from changing the name of a street in accordance with the desire of the majority of the persons concerned. The position has, however, been noted for consideration in connection with future amending legislation.