John Paul Phelan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I acknowledge what Deputy Cassells said about the issues with vintners. I understand the Commissioner of Valuation engaged in a process with vintners groups whereby some of those difficulties were ironed out or an agreement was reached that was more acceptable to the vintners. Following a number of requests to the Commissioner of Valuation in recent months, he indicated regarding the fuel retail sector that consultation and engagement were ongoing between the Valuation Office and the representative group of the fuel retail sector, the Irish Petrol Retailers Association, IPRA. The commissioner has agreed to consider adjustments to the valuation scheme for service stations, including changes that would result in reductions in valuations based on detailed evidence to be provided by the IPRA. That process is under way.

More broadly, the Valuation Office engages in ongoing consultation with other sectoral groups on the methodology used in the revaluation programme. In that context, the commissioner has committed to fully examining any additional detailed information provided by sporting or equestrian bodies. A number of Members of both Houses were made aware of issues among sporting and equestrian bodies caused by significant increases arising from the revaluation process. The Commissioner of Valuation has indicated that in sectors where significant community and voluntary services are provided along with commercial activities, he is open to considering adjustments to the valuation scheme, including changes that would result in reductions in valuations based on detailed evidence to be provided by the sectoral representative bodies.

I welcome the Commissioner of Valuation's engagement with the vintners' representatives, service station representative groups and sporting bodies to try to iron out some of the significant issues that have emerged in the revaluation process. I always felt that it was crazy that voluntary bodies were levied with commercial rates when certain exemptions from rates are provided under the valuation legislation for activities which, on the face of it, appear to be commercial in nature. To return to my earlier point, that is the reason we will need legislation on valuation in the autumn. The commissioner's engagement has the potential to deal with some of the issues raised in the amendment.

I reiterate that a full review of staffing is under way to identify additional numbers that may be needed to ensure the revaluation process is speeded up. Deputy Casey is correct. I do not know the exact figure for Wicklow but it could well be 30 or 40 years since the previous revaluation in the county. The target is to try to have a revaluation process approximately every seven years. That would avoid the emergence of significant spikes in rates, such as those with which every Member of the Oireachtas has been presented. In light of that, I am not in a position to accept the amendment, although I accept many of the issues that gave rise to it. Some of these matters are being addressed, while others will be addressed in legislation in the autumn.