§ 58. Mr. FLAVINasked the Prime Minister whether he has received a resolution, unanimously passed by the Kerry County Council at their meeting on 4th May, requesting the Government to put the local taxation account on a sound financial position; and whether he will take steps to accede to the request of the Kerry County Council?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI have received a copy of the resolution referred to. The abatements made in recent years of the sums payable out of the Local Taxaton (Ireland) Account have been made pursuant to Sub-section (5) of Section 58 of the Local Government (Ireland) Act, 1898, and I am advised that I ought not to hold out any hope of increasing the amount paid to the credit of the account.
§ Mr. FLAVINIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that owing to the increased burden of taxation the ratepayers of Kerry, who are mainly composed of very small farmers, are in a very serious position, unless the Government do something to place the local taxation account on a sound financial basis?
§ The PRIME MINISTERNaturally I am not familiar with the local conditions, but I will make inquiries.
§ Mr. FLAVINThank you.