asked the Minister for Finance whether he will arrange to have considered the desirability of setting up a commission of inquiry with a six months' time limit to investigate the entire system of poor law valuation and the incidence of rates on property.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Poor Law Valuation.
I am satisfied that the existing valuation and rating system is, on the whole, satisfactory and that no useful purpose would be served by the setting up of a commission of inquiry as suggested by the Deputy. The answer to his question is, therefore, "no".
Surely we have enough commissions going now.
The answer is "no".
Is the Minister aware that as far as the average person can observe there is no system of fixing valuations at the present time? Valuations bear no relation to income or to each other as far as property is concerned. The valuation of one property bears no relation to the valuation of another property. Is he aware that there is need for an investigation of the whole matter and also for an investigation of the high level of rates?
The anomaly is due entirely to the failure of local authorities to do their business.
In view of the Minister's unsatisfactory reply, I propose to raise this matter on the Adjournment.