Kevin O'Keeffe (Cork East, Fianna Fail)
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310. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if local authorities will be requested to suspend all further charges, that is, levy for street furniture and billboards, in lieu of bringing proposals to Cabinet for the review of commercial rates. [16132/17]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Local authorities are under a statutory obligation to levy rates on any property used for commercial purposes in accordance with the details entered in the valuation lists prepared by the independent Commissioner of Valuation pursuant to the Valuation Acts 2001 to 2015. The levying and collection of rates are matters for each individual local authority.

Commercial rates form an important element of the funding of all local authorities. The principle of local authorities levying rates based on an independent valuation is well established and I have no plans to change this. However, the legislative basis for the levying of rates is spread over a number of enactments, some dating back to the 19th century. I have asked my Department to develop proposals for the preparation of a Rates Bill to modernise and consolidate the legislation in this area. I will be bringing proposals to Government on this matter shortly.

Other charges levied by local authorities are not affected by these proposals.