Seán Fleming (Laois, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Before we proceed, it sounds as if the Valuation Office is not able to do its job in a timely manner. The local authorities will be given the power to move quickly, which will allow the Valuation Office to drag its feet as it will take the view that there is no loss to the local authority because it has done the job. It would be far more effective to have one agency doing the job properly, rather than giving the same powers to a second agency because the first is too busy to do the work. Having two sets of powers is the definition of inefficiency. It would be far more efficient and a better use of taxpayers' money to have one body with responsibility for making valuations in a timely manner, rather than having a back door, as this would remove the incentive on the Valuation Office not to do anything in a timely manner. The office has been in place for 150 years, yet Mr. Lemass referred to getting a clean run at it. Does he get my point?