Dáil debates

Wednesday, 27 May 2020

Covid-19 (Local Government): Statements

 

8:50 pm

Photo of John Paul PhelanJohn Paul Phelan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I agree with virtually everything the Deputy said. The collection of these moneys is a matter for each local authority and it has not been brought to my attention that councils need any extra powers in this regard. At the time the vacant site levy was introduced, and in respect of the amending legislation which was brought in afterwards in relation to farm lands, the powers were put in place. I saw the report to which the Deputy referred and she is right to point out her concerns. I am not trying to underestimate anything Deputy Ó Broin said earlier regarding local authorities and the squeeze on funding. However, this is why we elect local councils and it is their responsibility to collect the levy.

I am talking about my own council here as well as Deputy Farrell's and every member of all local authorities. I am not trying to cast aspersions on all members but we have 31 local authorities. Being Minister of State in charge of local government is a misnomer because I actively want them all to be different and to do their own thing locally. In their Covid-19 response, local authorities have really shown how they can do that. It is because they have those local contacts and a local knowledge that they are able to do it. As I said, it certainly has not been brought to my attention that they need any additional powers. It is a matter for each local authority to collect that funding and the Deputy is right that they should be collecting it, particularly at this time but also outside of this crisis.

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