Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Question 25: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the role he played in limiting the ability of local authorities to impose punitive charges on local businesses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15553/07]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Planning and Development Act 2000 set out a framework to facilitate an updating and modernisation of development contribution schemes by Local Authorities. Under section 48 of this Act, elected members of Local Authorities are empowered to adopt a scheme of development contributions following a public consultation process. To assist these new arrangements for development contribution schemes, the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government also issues guidelines to local authorities. All local authorities implemented new arrangements by March 2004. The first of these schemes will fall to be reviewed over the next year or so.

Arising from concerns raised by the Small Business Forum and others about the level and range of Development Contributions levied by Local Authorities I raised this matter with my colleague, the Minister for Environment, Heritage and Local Government. An Inter-Departmental Committee was then set up to look at the broad operation of locally determined development contribution schemes and the related development contribution guidelines. I understand that the report of the Group will be published shortly following which revised Guidelines may issue to Local Authorities.