Ossian Smyth (Dún Laoghaire, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Senator. I think I have good news for him. The message from the Valuation Office is that community sports facilities which are exclusively used for community sport and are non-profit are exempt from rates. I encourage him to follow up with the Valuation Office or Tailte Éireann using the contact details I provided.

The Senator mentioned that we need to look more broadly at the rating policy for swimming pools. I agree and I advise him to take the matter up with the Minister, Deputy O'Brien. He makes a great point.

I have made an effort to visit every county in Ireland as frequently as I can. It is very important that Ministers and Ministers of State are not stuck in Dublin getting a single perspective on the country from here. I would love to visit west Cork. I appreciate the Senator's offer and I will check if I am ever free to visit Baltimore. I have only been there on holiday in the past but if I can combine business with leisure, it would be fantastic.