Mr. Paul Lemass:

One of the proposals included in the new rates Bill which is being drafted is to empower a local authority to conduct a preliminary valuation to cater exactly for the situation the Deputy has highlighted. If, for instance, a new supermarket is opened in a town and there is concern that there may be a delay in obtaining a valuation through the Valuation Office, the local authority would be empowered and given guidance on how to conduct a preliminary valuation. It would be able to levy a charge on the premises based on the preliminary valuation until such time as it was formally valued by the Valuation Office.