Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome Mr. Murphy and Mr. Talbot. Senator Quinn asked a number of the questions I had intended to ask. It is great to see proposals like this. Like other speakers, I would have liked to have seen more figures with regard to costs, etc. Perhaps the members of the delegation can work on that over the period ahead. Can they elaborate on the French model to which they referred?

The fourth proposal in the ten point plan involves the adoption of a targeted approach to rates reduction for businesses in town centres. This committee has received presentations from retailers and has visited a number of towns. The retailers have expressed similar concerns and made similar proposals. I know where they are coming from when they speak about the effects of big multiples. It may be the case that smaller outlets associated with a large multiple are struggling or dealing with their own issues. It might be counter-productive to impose higher rates on them to benefit other smaller shops.

Are the businesses represented by Chambers Ireland placing an emphasis on the regeneration of town centres to encourage people to live in them? Have the members of Chambers Ireland spoken about any initiatives aimed at developing living spaces above shops, etc.? I would support a review of rates with an emphasis on large multinational industries that could easily pay higher rates, as opposed to out-of-town centres, if that would lead to a reduction in the rates paid by smaller businesses. The current rates model needs to be scrapped. I hope the valuation Bill will deal with that when it comes before us.

A number of the issues I had intended to raise have already been raised. I would welcome the delegation's first proposal aimed at kick-starting a whole area within the construction sector. It is labour-intensive and it has huge potential. It has been pretty much stalled for a period. Obviously, the proposal would have a knock-on effect with regard to job potential. I am interested in the costs in that regard. Chambers Ireland has pointed out a 5% VAT rate in this sector would be 5% better than the current position, where no VAT is being paid because there is no activity. I suppose the Department of Finance might look at it in a different way in terms of the potential VAT loss.