Paudie Coffey (Waterford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I also welcome this amendment, which is something on which I have been working for some time. Representatives of new businesses came to my office to raise concerns about how they had moved into premises and were being held liable for the rates that had built up on them. This was becoming a barrier to new businesses regenerating themselves in towns and villages. Subsequently, as the Minister is aware, I published the Poor Relief (Ireland) (Amendment) Bill 2013 to try to address this problem. The Minister mentioned the Act that has been in place heretofore goes back as far as 1838, which has no meaning in the modern economy. I welcome the efforts made by the Minister to address this problem. Many local authorities subsequently voted to support my Bill and I understand they also have written to the Minister's office. I certainly am satisfied there now has been movement in legislation to address this anomaly or barrier, as I would describe it, to allow new businesses to open on the high streets and main streets of villages, towns and cities and that those who are trying to start afresh will not be held liable for rates that have not been discharged by the previous occupiers. It is welcome that the Minister again has listened and this will help many new businesses as they try their best to start up in the current climate.

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