John Deasy (Waterford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We understand the different processes and the different changes that are occurring because of legislation which is being introduced and future legislation which may be enacted. All these processes are related. Up until this week I discovered that everyone in government is saying it is nothing to do with them and that it is the job of the Valuation Office. The Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government will levy and collect these rates but it does not regard itself as being involved in the revaluation process. Unfortunately, I found that with regard to government there is a lack of cohesion and communication and linkage to the end result which is that businesses will pay a lot more in rates and who may go out of business as a result. This revaluation process was begun for a very good reason. The system dated from 1988 and it needed to be updated but the implications and the results of this process has not been thought out with regard to the effects on the small business environment. I refer to Mr. Lynch's analysis and my point is that things are moving very quickly and all the factors I mentioned need to be brought into play before we cause too much damage, frankly, to a rate base that has shrunk massively. In my home town and county, half the shops such as clothes shops and small retailers are gone. The footfall and the spending power is no longer there.

Mr. O'Sullivan referred to pilot studies for the new legislation. Where will the pilot projects be located?