Ulick Burke (Galway East, Fine Gael)

The Deputy has indicated that he will not avail of the time.

Earlier this afternoon, the Minister's colleague stated, "A properly resourced local government sector is vital to local democracy". When we take into consideration this, and the Bill's capacity to raise funds for proper local democracy, we are left with hastily produced legislation. The greatest fault of those who have contributed to it is the uncertainty and lack of real decision making. All that can be said about the Bill is that it seems to be the first short step towards the reintroduction of domestic property rates.

Deputy McGuinness discussed the need for local government reform. Has he forgotten that a Fianna Fáil Government was responsible for the abolition of rates or that his and another party were responsible for what was termed better local government? Throughout the country, our local government is in crisis due to a shortage of money. Regarding the Bill's potential to collect money, there is no clarity on the way in which money will be collected and given to local authorities. There are four suggestions regarding payment methods, how it will be identified and who is to declare a liability of payment to local authorities. In contrast with the Bill's provisions, the Department failed to legislate for a register of landlords. It missed its opportunity to identify landlords. That vague step was never implemented properly. Now, more legislation is coming down the same line.

Almost every local authority and every contributor to this debate has indicated serious cutbacks in local government funding. Galway County Council was notified only a few weeks ago of a cutback amounting to €10 million in its allocation. How can a local authority continue to deliver services when such cutbacks are being implemented? The Bill will do nothing to shore up the shortage.

What is the cost of implementing the collection of the funds? There is no indication of the cost. We have been given an estimate of what it might yield in light of the 700,000 residents who might be liable for the tax. The Bill comes at a time when local authorities have needed to shed employment due to cutbacks. People on short-term contracts have lost out and many talented people have lost their jobs. The collection will incur serious costs, yet nothing has been allocated to retrieve them.

I will not indulge in previously mentioned definitions, but that of a vacant property is vague. No one knows what is a vacancy. How long must a house be vacant before it can be classified as being liable for the charge? This is an important matter. Our spokesman, Deputy Hogan, has clearly indicated the greatest concern for many people, namely, granny flats vacated by elderly people who are temporarily in nursing homes. The Minister must clarify these points as matters of urgency.

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