Thomas Gould (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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I appreciate that but I want to get to the nub of this. This is legislation that was passed 32 years ago. I have a major problem with local authorities not doing their job when it comes to legislation. I understand Mr. Walsh's point that it is complicated. Cork City Council collected 9% of the levy in 2020. Due to pressure from me and other Deputies, councillors and activists, it collected 33% last year so I do not hold with the idea that it is complicated and hard. If Revenue was collecting it, it would get the money. The question here is whether collection of the derelict sites levy should be given to Revenue. I believe it should because I have not seen any local authority get the levies it should have received. Maybe local authorities should never have been given this responsibility. This legislation has been in place for 32 years, yet people say 32 years later that it is not the way to go. I am not sure how many Governments have been in place since it was passed. Local authorities meet with Ministers. This should have been fixed. It is not the fault of the local authorities.