Ms Tara Buckley:

When RGDATA did the survey of the 16 towns, it struck us that every town was different, and that is why some kind of national guidelines would be helpful. If people arriving in a town in Ireland knew the same rules or grace periods applied, or that costs or fines were the same, it would be helpful. Clamping is particularly evident in Dublin city and can be very frustrating. It can add the stress and burden of waiting for the clamper to release the vehicle, and people can end up in frustrating positions. A person may be shopping in a town before meeting somebody and going into the coffee shop next door for a cup a coffee. When that person arrives at a car five minutes late, it could equate to a fine of €120 in some towns. That is the last time that person will come to that town. We would miss the social interaction and the business for shops - including the coffee shop - and it puts people off. People are being driven away.

We got much publicity when we launched the report, with supportive e-mails from the public. We were told that there should be no charge for out-of-town shopping facilities as the public uses them because they are free. Our point is that this should be a level playing field. Vibrant town centres will be important to local economies if we can keep them vibrant. We should not kill them with overly zealous car park policies. There is a way of doing this, as people will pay modest fees for parking. Nevertheless, they do not want to feel that this is about a revenue grab when they are trying to do some business in a town. The levy has been mentioned. There are many ways of introducing this levy, and we can return with more detail rather than going into all the detail here. If a Government wants to introduce a tax it can do so, and we all know that is happening every day. It would be a very positive step. If parking is to be paid for in a town, it should be applicable wherever people go. RGDATA has been very involved in the process of streamlining licensing. We did a report in 2009 and 2010, highlighting the issue, and we welcome the fact that the Government has taken the issue on board and is considering a portal for licensing. RGDATA is involved in the process and we appreciate the work and hope it can be moved on to facilitate the streamlining of inspections. That would make things more efficient and cost-effective.

With regard to illegal diesel, we say to any consumer that if something is very cheap, the consumer must be aware. With such fuel, the driver is putting his or her car in danger and if it is too good to be true, one should be beware. It is very obvious who are legitimate traders. Our members have been involved in various campaigns promoting legal fuel and they will continue this work. We are very happy to co-ordinate with any progress made with the Revenue Commissioners or An Garda, and members have been actively involved in such work.

The retail grocer is subject to a joint labour committee, JLC, wage setting. The off-licence next door, the bookshop and the flower shop are not subject to it. Nowadays, the retail grocer has had to adapt and survive, and many of these businesses have a small café area. That is not covered by the retail grocer JLC but rather the catering JLC, meaning the employer must deal with two different JLCs. It is a cumbersome and complicated system and much employment protection legislation must be introduced. The JLC system is obsolete and it must be scrapped. Having surveyed our members, 96% of them agree with that view.

This would not be a race to the bottom. Since the JLC system was found to be unconstitutional, the 230 members who responded to the survey have taken on 1,000 new staff, with many of those taken on at the old JLC rate. Most have been taken on at the minimum wage, as the starting rate in the trade should be that level. These members did not change the terms and conditions of existing staff as our members appreciate their staff. A new survey will be out shortly indicating that members want to invest in staff, training and stores. The business wants to get on, compete and survive, but it does not want law and regulation binding and stopping it in doing what it does best, which is the running of good local community shops.

There is absolutely no doubt that the independent retail sector, like every other small business sector, is having significant issues with access to credit. The banks have indicated they are open for business but if one goes looking for a loan, bank officials want to renegotiate every loan. That is not an option for somebody who is trying to expand business and does not want terms changed.

Everybody is striving to make the banks profitable and get them back on their feet but we must be careful. As banks have terms and conditions are changed, we must be careful not to pass a burden of security to the business community and independent retailers. For example, the change in lodgement structures in banks and not being allowed to lodge large amounts of cash on certain days has a significant impact on an independent business in a town with regard to security, cash on premises and concerns about family, staff and personal safety. Such issues must be addressed as banks are moved to a more profitable state. Banks should not be increasing charges and we are concerned about the loss of the personal relationship between banks, retailers and small businesses.

Automated banking does not take into account the flexibility that is needed to run a small business. These are the businesses that are providing 90,000 jobs. It is important that is not forgotten in the drive to make the banks more profitable. The Government may be squeezing small businesses and putting much extra pressure on them in terms of security.