Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)

I accept it is an important issue and that is why we have put into the plan that we will expedite the revaluation of the whole country. It is quite a heavy burden, particularly on hotels. Where revaluation has taken place hotels' rates have been reduced. I understand rates account for nearly 7.6% of the operating costs for hotels whereas for other retailers it is between 1% and 4%. It seems to be disproportionate and that is why within the plan we have accepted that this is something that needs to be expedited and we will do it.

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