Results 3,321-3,340 of 9,823 for speaker:Thomas Byrne

Seanad: Valuation (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (22 Oct 2014)

Thomas Byrne: If the Chair will permit the Minister of State the latitude, perhaps he can update us on whether further discussions have taken place on provisions we have previously debated because we will not have an opportunity to revisit them on Report Stage. Is he proposing further changes along the lines of the genuine and sincere arguments made on this side of the House?

Seanad: Valuation (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (22 Oct 2014)

Thomas Byrne: I support Senator van Turnhout's comments. I presume she will table amendments on Report Stage and can inform her that we are willing to support them. I am also sure that the Government will listen carefully to what she says. I want to talk about the subject of this amendment. Here today a fraud has been perpetrated on the sports clubs and sports community of Ireland. A number of weeks...

Seanad: Valuation (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (22 Oct 2014)

Thomas Byrne: We know what is in the legislation. We can see that for ourselves.

Seanad: Valuation (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (22 Oct 2014)

Thomas Byrne: We accept that, but what about pitch rental?

Seanad: Valuation (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (22 Oct 2014)

Thomas Byrne: Is the Minister of State saying those stadia were exempt before but will not be after this Bill is passed?

Seanad: Valuation (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (22 Oct 2014)

Thomas Byrne: The Government amendment refers to generation of income rather than commercial activity.

Seanad: Valuation (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (22 Oct 2014)

Thomas Byrne: However, both are now rateable. There is no distinction.

Seanad: Valuation (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (22 Oct 2014)

Thomas Byrne: Where does it say that?

Seanad: Valuation (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (22 Oct 2014)

Thomas Byrne: There is no statutory provision for it.

Seanad: Valuation (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (22 Oct 2014)

Thomas Byrne: How can we know that will happen, unless provision is made for it in the legislation?

Seanad: Valuation (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (22 Oct 2014)

Thomas Byrne: I did not understand that clubs which rented out pitches were liable to rates. They are not paying rates, as far as I know. I have not received representations from them, but have received representations about the bars. What is proposed here has nothing to do with commercial. In fact, the word "commercial" is not used. The Minister has kept the exemption for sports facilities but has...

Seanad: Valuation (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (22 Oct 2014)

Thomas Byrne: The Minister might have done so in his constituency. They issued press releases welcoming this great provision for GAA clubs. When I met the clubs in Meath, about seven of them were affected. Now, on reading this provision, it will be 70. The Minister will have to clarify this. The sports sector is watching this debate in an effort to find out what is happening, because the Minister's...

Seanad: Valuation (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (22 Oct 2014)

Thomas Byrne: Sports clubs are exempt.

Seanad: Valuation (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (22 Oct 2014)

Thomas Byrne: I accept that.

Seanad: Valuation (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (22 Oct 2014)

Thomas Byrne: I ask the Minister of State to be very clear about the purpose of subsection (b) in the new section. It refers to buildings or parts of buildings used directly or indirectly in the generation of income. Why is that provision being introduced?

Seanad: Valuation (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (22 Oct 2014)

Thomas Byrne: I was delighted. I welcomed the Bill, until I read this.

Seanad: Valuation (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (22 Oct 2014)

Thomas Byrne: I am trying to minimise-----

Seanad: Valuation (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (22 Oct 2014)

Thomas Byrne: The Minister of State referred to serious income. There is nothing about serious income in the amendment. He referred to commercial activity, but there is nothing about that in the amendment. It simply refers to buildings used directly or indirectly in the generation of income no longer being exempt. That surely sends out a message that any club which rents a pitch or dressing room will...

Seanad: Valuation (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (22 Oct 2014)

Thomas Byrne: -----and referred to golf shops and pro shops. I do not want to exempt a golf shop.

Seanad: Valuation (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (22 Oct 2014)

Thomas Byrne: Such shops should pay rates. I want to exempt a club which rents its pitches.