Vol. 395 No. 5
9 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Finance when he proposes to introduce legislation, which was promised in Dáil Éireann on 16 February 1988 to provide for a single modern statute for the operation of the valuations system, including the Valuations Office; whether the heads of a Bill have been prepared and circulated; if he will outline the present stage of the draft legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The valuation legislation is at present under examination by my Department in consultation with the Commissioner of Valuation and the Department of the Environment. The issues are complex and must be given very careful consideration at official level before any changes are contemplated. As soon as this process is completed the matter will be considered by me.
In relation to the specific question on the Order Paper, may I draw the Minister's attention to the subsidiary question which asks if the heads of a Bill have been prepared and circulated and if he could give some indication as to when the legislation will be introduced?
The heads have not yet been prepared. Consultations are taking place on this very complex matter. As soon as that process has been completed, we will proceed to preparing the heads of a Bill.
Would the Minister confirm that a draft Bill has been prepared and is available to his Department?
That is not my information. If the position is otherwise I will let the Deputy know.
Thank you.
