asked the Minister for Local Government who pays the rates on national monuments not owned by the State; and if any change is anticipated in present arrangements in this regard.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Rates on National Monuments.
230.
There are no special provisions in rating law in this matter and the rates, if any, on such property, therefore, fall to be borne in the normal way by the rated occupier of such property. No change in that position is contemplated.
Is the Minister aware that if a piece of arable, very good land is declared a national monument its use is obviously very severely restricted and therefore the person on whose land this national monument is situated suffers considerable loss in its earning power? Would the Minister not consider that some compensation should be given to this man in the form of rates relief?
Such land owners can apply for revision of the rateable valuation.
Is the Minister not aware that this is a very slow process indeed and I do not think it often has the best results.
It is not slow by any manner of means.