Mr. Thomas Burke:

On the Chairman's initial question, the 31 local authorities operate different systems. Again, for any business that is planning an investment long-term, that is not a great position to be in because it gives rise to a lack of certainty around future cost base. International retailers that are looking to move into the Irish market have to consider issues such as cost base and as depending on where they set up the cost base and how rates are levied will be different this gives rise to concern. The lost revenue point is an important one, which does not necessarily get the coverage it deserves. We estimate it is approximately €200 million per annum, which is a significant amount that is lost every year. Improvements are required to the current system to try to recoup some of that and have an impact in terms of the space in terms of the public realm and so on. The improvements that could be made with capital of that level would be very significant. Again, the system lacks transparency. The concern from the perspective of our members is around the uncertainty as to what their future rates bill will be and that makes business planning decisions into the future very difficult.