Robert Dowds (Dublin Mid West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for listening to representations made by Deputy John Deasy and me on the refund of rates allowable on vacant premises. Deputy John Deasy, on his own initiative, started working on this issue. As I agreed with his proposal, I began working with him. We recognised that what was appropriate in one area of a county would not necessarily be appropriate in another. Being able to give a refund on a vacant premises should be allowable in some places but not in others. It is also appropriate that councils should have discretion in this regard because, after all, local authorities should be much more familiar with the situation on the ground than central government. I thank Deputy John Deasy for initiating this amendment and the Minister for listening to our suggestion.

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