Results 2,541-2,560 of 10,577 for speaker:Barry Cowen

Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Select Sub-Committee on the Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Government Bill 2013: Committee Stage (3 Dec 2013)

Barry Cowen: I move amendment No. 36: In page 36, between lines 3 and 4, to insert the following:"(2) Each municipal district may in respect of that district, vary the commercial rate and Local Property Tax within the district from the amount applicable to the county council or city and county council concerned.".In respect of section 29(2), we need an amendment so that each municipal district will have...

Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Select Sub-Committee on the Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Government Bill 2013: Committee Stage (3 Dec 2013)

Barry Cowen: Amendment No. 37 deals with applying a levy on out-of-town-centre developments to address dilapidation and difficulties in town centres. This was something I mentioned in the debate on the Bill I brought before the House a few weeks ago. This would be along the lines of the model introduced in the North where there is a 15% surcharge based on turnover or size. Municipal districts should be...

Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Select Sub-Committee on the Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Government Bill 2013: Committee Stage (3 Dec 2013)

Barry Cowen: Can we confirm that we will have the opportunity to oppose it on Report Stage? We find this-----

Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Select Sub-Committee on the Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Government Bill 2013: Committee Stage (3 Dec 2013)

Barry Cowen: -----most detrimental to businesses across the country.

Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Select Sub-Committee on the Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Government Bill 2013: Committee Stage (3 Dec 2013)

Barry Cowen: We cannot accept this directive to local authorities.

Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Select Sub-Committee on the Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Government Bill 2013: Committee Stage (3 Dec 2013)

Barry Cowen: This practice is not employed by the majority of councils, although it might be in some of the cities.

Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Select Sub-Committee on the Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Government Bill 2013: Committee Stage (3 Dec 2013)

Barry Cowen: Perhaps in Kilkenny, but not in Tullamore, Birr, Edenderry or so on.

Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Select Sub-Committee on the Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Government Bill 2013: Committee Stage (3 Dec 2013)

Barry Cowen: That is right.

Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Select Sub-Committee on the Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Government Bill 2013: Committee Stage (3 Dec 2013)

Barry Cowen: I do.

Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Select Sub-Committee on the Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Government Bill 2013: Committee Stage (3 Dec 2013)

Barry Cowen: Many of my constituents know.

Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Select Sub-Committee on the Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Government Bill 2013: Committee Stage (3 Dec 2013)

Barry Cowen: It will remain as it is. Will it remain as it is for those local authorities that have discretion-----

Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Select Sub-Committee on the Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Government Bill 2013: Committee Stage (3 Dec 2013)

Barry Cowen: -----and can, for example, seek evidence from a property owner that he or she has sought to let a building to a third party?

Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Select Sub-Committee on the Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Government Bill 2013: Committee Stage (3 Dec 2013)

Barry Cowen: Discretion is being-----

Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Select Sub-Committee on the Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Government Bill 2013: Committee Stage (3 Dec 2013)

Barry Cowen: Common sense is being adhered to.

Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Select Sub-Committee on the Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Government Bill 2013: Committee Stage (3 Dec 2013)

Barry Cowen: I respect that, but the Minister's proposal made it plain that the provision would apply across the country. I am glad to hear that he has backed down.

Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Select Sub-Committee on the Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Government Bill 2013: Committee Stage (3 Dec 2013)

Barry Cowen: On the question of the discretion.

Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Select Sub-Committee on the Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Government Bill 2013: Committee Stage (3 Dec 2013)

Barry Cowen: That is what we wanted.

Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Select Sub-Committee on the Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Government Bill 2013: Committee Stage (3 Dec 2013)

Barry Cowen: Thank you. I am delighted the Minister bowed to pressure.

Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Select Sub-Committee on the Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Government Bill 2013: Committee Stage (3 Dec 2013)

Barry Cowen: The Minister has backed down. That is great news.

Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Select Sub-Committee on the Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Government Bill 2013: Committee Stage (3 Dec 2013)

Barry Cowen: Am I correct that the Minister's commitment today is that the variation within local authorities will be downwards in all cases and that the higher rate will not be the applicable rate in any local authority?