Return of rates not ruled out

THE return of domestic rates, or the introduction of local taxation, are not being ruled out in a major independent review of local government funding.

Environment Minister Martin Cullen yesterday said he was “totally open-minded” and described the current process as wide-ranging and the deepest possible analysis of local government. The review is being carried out by Indecon International Economic Consultants in association with the Institute of Local Government Studies.

Speaking at the annual conference of the Association of Municipal Authorities (AMAI), in Listowel, Co Kerry, he said the review was of critical importance to the future of local government as it would set the context and the agenda for decisions on the future financing system for local authorities.