Paddy Burke (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Senator Byrne, resume your seat. I was asked to outline my rulings.

Amendments Nos. 9 and 12 to 15, inclusive, and 28 propose to delete the proposal to dissolve the city and county councils in Limerick, Tipperary and Waterford and the establishment of new amalgamated authorities as their successors and other related matters, thereby preserving the existing local government areas. Amendment No. 10 proposes the establishment of a new local authority for the local government area of Connemara. Amendments No. 19 and 20 propose to delete the proposal on the determination by the Minister of local electoral areas and municipal districts, including the application of new governance arrangements. Amendments Nos. 21 to 23, inclusive, propose to delete the proposal concerning the dissolution of town councils. These amendments are in conflict with the principle of the Bill and also involve a charge on the Exchequer as the cost-efficiencies proposed to be gained from mergers and reductions in local authority members would not be achieved.

Amendment No. 24 proposes that each municipal district council may, in respect of that district, vary the commercial rate and the local property tax within the district. Amendment No. 25 provides that each municipal district may vary the commercial rate of tax for the district. These amendments involve a potential charge on the Revenue.