Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome this change and commend some of the Members on the Government benches who put forward amendments on this issue. It is important to see Government Deputies contributing amendments. That is a positive development. In fairness to the Minister, he listened to the issues that were raised in this regard. He acknowledged the concerns and made the necessary changes, for which he is to be commended.

I have a number of questions and I ask the Minister to clarify a number of points. The legislation refers to refunds. Does that mean that the owners of vacant properties must pay the commercial rates and then apply for a refund? That may not be feasible for some who have cash flow difficulties. The amendment also provides that the reduction can be from 100% down. Can it be down to 0% or must there be at least a minimum rate charged on the refund? I accept the logic of this and it makes sense in the context of some vacant properties in some parts of the country.

However, there is a difficulty with the logistics involved in operating in a rural local authority - for example, in County Roscommon. If one were to break it down into electoral areas, if there was a dilapidated part of one town, the measure would have to be applied across the entire electoral area.

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