asked the Minister for Local Government if he will arrange with the Commissioner of Valuation and the Dublin City Manager that the payment of increased rates arising from increased valuations on dwelling houses be not enforced until the appeals of the householders concerned against the new valuations have been heard and decided.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Valuation Appeals.
42.
The collection of the rates is a matter for Dublin Corporation who are obliged by law to levy and collect rates on the basis of the valuations appearing on the statutory lists. They must, however, refund any excess rates collected where the valuation of a premises is reduced on appeal.
Will the Minister consider introducing amending legislation because some of these increases are very steep this year and practically every year? I feel it is like sentencing a man to prison before he is proved guilty. By some arbitrary action these valuations have been increased.
The Deputy is making a speech rather than asking a question.
I want to ask the Minister if he will consider introducing amending legislation to stop this kind of situation from arising in the future.
The position is that where a valuation is increased, the person concerned may appeal, and if the appeal is upheld, the excess rates which have been collected will be refunded. That seems to me to cover the situation adequately.
He must pay in the meantime.
I do not think there is any great delay in dealing with these cases.
Question No. 43 postponed.