Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 9 Mar 1993

Vol. 427 No. 6

Written Answers. - Local Government Acts.

Eamon Gilmore

Ceist:

153 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for the Environment the position regarding the definition of the term ratepayer, specifically as it applies to various plebicites which are held under local government legislation following the abolition of domestic rates; and the plans, if any, he has to amend or revoke section 76 of the Local Government Act, 1946 as amended by section 53 of the Local Government Act, 1955 and all or any procedural matters including drawing up a list of ratepayers names, voting procedures and other matters which are included in the Local Government (Changing of Place Names) Regulations.

Minister for the Environment (Mr. M. Smith)

I am considering including in the next appropriate Local Government Bill a provision to replace the reference to ratepayers in existing legislation governing plebiscites for the purpose of changing the names of places and streets. In the meantime, the existing statutory procedure continues to apply, subject to a saver in section 17 of the Local Government (Financial Provisions) Act, 1978 in relation to the expression "ratepayer".