John Lyons (Dublin North West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I might come in on that issue rather than lose momentum because my question relates to what Deputy Peadar Tóibín said about progressive rates. The RGDATA document focused on parking being not necessarily the panacea to the issues retailers face in towns as opposed to out-of-town places such as the Dunnes, Tescos, Lidls and so forth. Has RGDATA done any costing or analysis on what amount of money we are talking about to pack up the argument? I agree with the representatives. I represent Finglas which is falling on its knees. It is very tough.

Deputy Tóibín raised the issue of a progressive rates system. The planning guidelines essentially state that the main objective of retail is within the towns. In other words, any other policies we develop should reflect the planning guidelines. The new development contribution guidelines, launched recently will be rolled out in the next couple of months, reflect this view. The guidelines state that out-of-town retailers must pay a higher development contribution than in-town retailers. The next step is to look at the rates and whether they should follow in the same way. Are we about saving jobs or, God forbid, creating jobs? If all the car parking spaces in Finglas are filled because we change our policy and get people to go into the town centre, at the end of the day that will not open up some of the other vacant units, of which there are many.

The stronger hand that has most potential, in line with the parking issue, is that there should be a rates regime that reflects the planning guidelines, that is, putting retail at the centre of the town. All our objectives should suit that. Tesco in Clearwater, for example, provides free parking. I understand exactly to what RGDATA refers there where the village is really suffering, but there are many vacant units. If the rates were significantly different or reflected that, surely it would be an incentive for others to open there.

It is not as simple as that, but I would be curious to hear Ms Buckley's view on those two matters. The first is the cost analysis on it. RGDATA has not brought anything forward in that regard, although I agree with doing something on parking because it is something we face everywhere. The other matter is a further comment on the differential rates because I am conscious we may go on to different topics and I do not want to raise it again.