Jim Walsh (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

A number of issues arise. I am disappointed that the Minister is not accepting our amendment because he has said that the powers and the status the town councils have will now be exercised by the municipal authorities. The most important function that any State apparatus, be it local government, central Government or whatever, has is the power to levy a charge on the public. I would see a disparity in many counties, including my own, between the capacity of those towns to generate business and therefore be in a position to pay rates and other towns that are hubs within the county, which attract a good deal of business because of their commercial outlets. The principle that applied until now, namely, that those towns' representatives decided the charge for the rates, is a good principle. Unfortunately, that will go now.

I note what the Minister said about harmonisation downwards towards the lower rate. What does that mean? The Minister said it will be done over ten years.