Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Thursday, 16 September 2021

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government

General Scheme of the Tailte Éireann Bill 2020: Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage

Photo of Ruairi Ó MurchúRuairi Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I have listened to most of this but it is always possible that I missed something at the beginning so if I repeat something, just tell me and I will accept the slap. There is an issue relating to carrying out the plans around Tailte Éireann. Will they speed up the valuation process? We are talking about local authorities possibly losing significant amounts in rates due to delays in the valuation of commercial buildings.

Many of us, particularly those of us who were councillors, are aware of the difficulties local authorities have with funding. This is something that would need to be addressed. I imagine the Department will get an element of streamlining with organisation. I am speaking about major operators, major retailers and serious commercial entities rather than the difficulties that many small businesses have at this point. Will there be a streamlining of the valuation process? I imagine there will be in the sense of the sharing of information. The Department will not be recreating the wheel consistently and constantly, which is probably a difficulty that has led to this decision.