Mr. Ian Talbot:

I thank Deputy Bailey for her comments, particularly on rates. Just to make it clear, our network has a chamber in pretty much every town in the country and it is each chamber's responsibility to work with its local authority. Mr. Malone's ideas are being pushed with Louth County Council. Chambers Ireland generally helps its members to make their arguments with their local authorities in regard to what is needed for business, the local community, etc. We also take a very strong view that local authorities need money to carry out activities. For example we have been very strong supporters of the local property tax, and we welcome more councils taking advantage of the flexibility to adjust rates by 15%. We do not rush to judgment in favour of cutting property tax. We say that if local authorities raised a couple of million euro more, it could be spent on these activities. It would be possible to generate income and launch community-based initiatives by using that property tax wisely.