Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am very surprised that he is doing so because he and his friends protested against my visit to a very important facility in his own constituency last week, valued at €100 million. They do not want people to pay anything, which would put more pressure on commercial small businesses struggling for survival as well as on Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council to provide services for local people.

However, I accept that there is a need to look at the legislation. The Valuation (Amendment) (No.2) Bill is going through the Oireachtas at the moment and will provide the Deputy with an opportunity to make those points and to work with the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, who is bringing that legislation through the Dáil. That is the basis by which commercial rates are levied by local authorities. The question of a differential rate for small businesses as opposed to the larger entities that can better afford some of the commercial rate charges is something which I will keep under review.

See this speech in context