Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I fully accept the Senator’s bona fides in questioning this. As Senator Mullins said, there is nothing sinister in it. The Bill is about modernising our valuation system and, where possible, helping the ratepayer. Thankfully, as my officials inform me, there are very few instances of this. While I do not have statistics to hand, it is not a widespread problem. However, any of us could encounter a situation in our constituencies whereby somebody receives a valuation certificate that is incorrect and under current law there is no recourse for such a person other than to go to the Commissioner of Valuation. We are suggesting a streamlining measure to assist a ratepayer who, as the Senator said, is already paying a tax to the State, in having the error rectified at the lowest possible place, which is the valuation manager.