The legislation promoted by the Government in respect of the property tax provided an option for local authorities to vary the tax up or down by 15%. However, the statutory instrument to which my colleague, Deputy Cowen, referred was published on 5 February without fanfare. It was not even accompanied by the usual press release. The effect of the statutory instrument is to make it virtually impossible for local authorities to vary the property tax in the current year. Was that a deliberate decision on the part of the then Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government?

That is a policy issue.

Was it the intention that the property tax should not be varied this year, as provided for in the legislation initially adopted?

I understand that certain local authorities have already decided to vary the property tax in the current year provided, for logistical reasons, the Revenue Commissioners are notified by the local authority of the new rate. Revenue has made local authorities aware of this.