Victor Boyhan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

On sections 48 and 49 levies, given that the Minister of State is doing research and there is this potential for this new synergy in Cork, which I broadly support in principle, will there be an assessment and audit done on the significant amount of outstanding development levies? I will take any opportunity to hammer home this point. When we talk about good local governance, good accountability and good stewardship of our local authorities, it is incumbent on local authority chief executives and management structures to go after levies which are due. For both councils in question, there are outstanding levies.

Will the Minister of State make contact with the two local authorities? I will prepare several parliamentary questions for some of my colleagues to raise in the Dáil and also raise it at the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government. It is a serious issue for all local authorities.

Section 31(4) states:

Any development contribution scheme under section 48 of the Act of 2000 or supplementary development contribution scheme under section 49 of that Act made by the city council shall, from the transfer day, apply to the relevant area as it applies to the rest of the functional area of the city council.

Will the Minister of State explain what is meant by that? Will he ask hard questions about any uncollected or outstanding levies specific to granted permissions?