Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I disagree fundamentally with Senator Byrne, which probably does not come as a great surprise to him. First, I do not think it is fair to level criticism. I know the Senator said he meant no disrespect to the Valuation Office but the amendments and legislation before this House are signed off on by the Cabinet collectively. All the amendments before the House today have the collective support of the Cabinet and I am happy to stand over them.

Senator Byrne talks about the burden on ratepayers. The greatest burden on ratepayers has been an inability to have a fair, uniform and equitable value attached to their premises. It has been the fact that we have an archaic system and have not been able to access outsourcing, use modern technology and help people to conveniently give information that will be of use and material benefit to the Valuation Office in assessing a fair and correct method. The people I meet regularly, including those in the hotel industry and pub trade, ask me whether we can hurry up and get this legislation in place so that we can revalue as quickly as possible. That is what they are saying as recently as this week. They ask me whether we can get the Valuation (Amendment) Bill done and dusted. I am not claiming that this Bill is a solution.