Limerick East): The Government has given a commitment to commission a professional study on the funding of local government with a view of publishing a White Paper on the subject and seeking to develop the maximum degree of consensus. In its policy statement, A Government of Renewal, the Government stated that the future of the residential property tax will be considered in the context of this study.
My colleague, Deputy Howlin, the Minister for the Environment, who will be commissioning the professional study, has obtained proposals from interested bodies to undertake the study. It is expected that it will commence in the near future.