Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Tuesday, 3 December 2013

Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Select Sub-Committee on the Environment, Community and Local Government

Local Government Bill 2013: Committee Stage

1:10 pm

Photo of Barry CowenBarry Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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Amendment No. 37 deals with applying a levy on out-of-town-centre developments to address dilapidation and difficulties in town centres. This was something I mentioned in the debate on the Bill I brought before the House a few weeks ago. This would be along the lines of the model introduced in the North where there is a 15% surcharge based on turnover or size. Municipal districts should be allowed to consider applying such a levy to address the continued decline in commercial and social activity in town centres.