John Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for bringing forward what is probably the least controversial legislation there possibly could be. To be frank and honest, this is important legislation. It brings together three very important organisations that already have great synergies. It makes sense to combine them into one new agency, Tailte Éireann.

As we know, the Valuation Office provides ratepayers and local authorities with up-to-date and accurate valuations, which are essential for the proper functioning of local government. All local authorities throughout the country are in the process of drawing up their budgets at present and having an accurate commercial rates base is very important for them. I will make one point in that context. There is often a delay in valuation and when it comes into effect for local authorities, which can have a significant impact on the rate base available to them. If a business sets up and it takes six or nine months for the valuation to occur, and if that happens to fall in January or February, for example, the rates cannot be levied until the following calendar year, which means the loss of a rates base from a local authority perspective. It is an issue that was always a bone of contention for me during my 11 years in local government. It would be remiss of me not to flag it when given the opportunity in the context of this legislation.

OSI's function is to maintain accurate mapping records of the State. As somebody who studied the teaching of geography and physical education in the University of Limerick, mapping and the understanding of mapping is something I am very familiar with. It has been mainstreamed over the past number of years, not least because of the readily available tools we all have through our web browsers. In order to properly plan our infrastructure, housing and all the various services, it is vitally important that we have accurate mapping tools with cutting-edge technology built into that. I certainly hope to see that develop even further in the time ahead, as I am sure staff in the new Tailte Éireann will also welcome.

The third element is the PRA, which is responsible for the land registry and the Register of Deeds. One of its buildings is located in the city in which I live, Waterford. The other two offices - I stand to be corrected - are in Roscommon and Dublin. The staff in my county, as I am sure is the case across all areas, do a tremendous job in keeping that accurate record. It is only when issues arise or disputes are raised that we realise the importance of having such an accurate register in place. All three organisations provide an essential function in their own right but combined with existing synergies, especially in the mapping space, it will be a very robust organisation going forward.

The only disappointing element in this is that it has not happened sooner. As a Government representative, I have to acknowledge the delays that have been present in bringing this legislation to this point. We conducted significant pre-legislative scrutiny in September 2021. The delays are certainly not confined to the period of this Seanad term. They stretch back further than that but we are where we are. This is a good day. The legislation has gone through all Stages in the Dáil. I am sure it will get a good hearing in this House. I look forward to the legislation being finalised in short order.