Barry Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Amendment No. 37 deals with applying a levy on out-of-town-centre developments to address dilapidation and difficulties in town centres. This was something I mentioned in the debate on the Bill I brought before the House a few weeks ago. This would be along the lines of the model introduced in the North where there is a 15% surcharge based on turnover or size. Municipal districts should be allowed to consider applying such a levy to address the continued decline in commercial and social activity in town centres.