Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am positively disposed to what the Deputy is trying to do, if it is to ensure that the time period from the moment a case arrives at the door of the Valuation Office until the moment it is out the door is six months. If the purpose of the amendment is to ensure that a revision case should be concluded within six months of receipt, then I agree that this is something that should be provided for. While the Valuation Office endeavours to process all revision applications as expeditiously as possible, there is a weakness in the legislation, as has been pointed out - namely, that there is no limit on the period within which a revision case is assigned to a revision manager.

I ask Deputy Fleming to allow me to consider these amendments between now and Report Stage, and I will bring forward an amendment that will achieve the same objective but will take practical considerations into account. For example, a time period of 40 days has to be allowed for representations, and the period allowed for in the amendment is four months. I thank the Deputy for raising an important point. I will take his proposal on board and will propose an amendment on Report Stage to endeavour to achieve what he is trying to achieve.