Barry Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The Government has admitted defeat with regard to upward only rent reviews. We will park that failure.

With regard to commercial rates, however, does the Minister know that commercial rents have come down in many provincial town by as much as 70% in the last four years? Commercial rates have come down by, at most, 6%. Does the Minister agree that the correlation between the two should be closer, in line with commercial reality?

The Minister referred to the Valuation (Amendment) Bill. Is it the Government's intention to overhaul the archaic commercial rates system as part of the programme for putting people first, devolving power to local authorities and changing the way they do business?

Is less more? It can be in this instance. The Minister must take some risks in this area to address the terrible conditions and atmosphere in the small business community. The correlation should be a lot closer than 70% and 6%, and if the Minister agrees, it is incumbent on the Government to honour its commitment to overhaul the commercial rates system. It is archaic, does not work and pays no dividends to those we represent.

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