Commercial rates Bill
Deputy Breathnach said the promised commercial rates Bill and valuation reforms were overdue and asked when legislation would appear. The Taoiseach said Cabinet had agreed the heads in April, but drafting remained under legal analysis and the Government was considering moving valuations to the housing Department.
I inadvertently overlooked Deputy Declan Breathnach and offer my apologies. That will complete the questions on promised legislation.
Comment on this
We were promised in this House - indeed, rate payers are waiting with bated breath for it - that the commercial rates Bill would be introduced before the end of May but that has not happened. We were also promised that some reform would take place in regard to the Valuation Office and how valuations are arrived at. I know that briefings are being given by the Department to local authorities, yet this House has not been given any sight of the legislation. When can we expect it? We were promised it for the end of May and it is now the end of June.
Comment on this
The heads of Bill were agreed by Cabinet in April, but there is still further analysis going on in the Attorney General's office with regard to drafting. A decision has to be made as to whether it might now be more appropriate to transfer valuations from the Department of Justice and Equality to the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government.