Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)

In the case mentioned it could be interpreted that the property is not habitable on the basis that access is only possible with the assistance of the owner of the property who happens to be a shopkeeper. If that information was brought to the attention of the local manager, the case could be made. Local authority managers are fair-minded people and if a genuine case is made, I am sure they will look at it in keeping with the spirit of the legislation. All of the anomalies will not be resolved until we have a fully fledged property tax regime in place in 2013. I am not in a position to solve these difficulties in 2012 and must leave it in the care and management of the local authority manager to exercise common sense in dealing with genuine cases.