asked the Minister for the Environment if he will consider the possibility of derating industrial premises to help industrial development in the country.

I do not consider it appropriate to derate industrial premises.

Is that all the Minister will tell us? The IDA are trying to encourage people to set up small industries and it would be a logical step to look at the possibility of removing rates from small industrial premises to allow people with ideas, who may not necessarily have the finance to back up those ideas, to set up in business. It would generate employment.

The question referred to the derating of industrial premises to help industrial development and not small industries. My reply was quite clear. I do not propose to derate industrial premises.

While the question was a general one, it covers small industries and those who would start up their own small business.

A question, please, Deputy.

They may not have the necessary finance to meet the very steep demands made on them by local authorities. Would the Minister consider that area in the light of encouraging industrial starts?

While separate figures in respect of the cost of derating such premises are not available, it is clear that the cost would be substantial because the yield from rates on industrial and commercial premises totals £122 million per annum. The removal of this substantial source of revenue, over which local authorities have direct control, would have major consequences both in terms of local finances and of the powers of local authorities.

Is it not the case that local authorities are empowered to waive industrial rates for a certain number of years in cases in which new industrial buildings have been erected?

The question relates to derating.

It relates to relieving industrialists of the burden of paying industrial rates and I am asking whether local authorities do not have this power already. Can the Minister give the House an estimate of the amount that has been waived in respect of industrial rates?

That is a separate question.

The Chair is being very protective today.

Deputy Molloy should co-operate with the Chair. He should not make insulting remarks.

There are only 11 questions on the Order Paper.

My admonishment would apply even if there were only one question to be answered.

My remark was factual rather than insulting.

In this area local authorities granted remissions amounting to more than £2 million.