Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State. Deputy Jonathan O’Brien and I were spokespersons on justice in December 2011 when the Legal Services Bill was first brought into the House and it is still meandering its way through the Houses. The Tánaiste said yesterday that it would be finished “when we are ready,” that is, when the Government is ready to finish it. It is a serious cost issue for small businesses, as the Minister of State said. We have welcomed the potential of the new Companies Bill in this area. When will we see the impact of that Bill or the Bill itself?

Our energy costs are still out of sync with those of our international competitors. A survey of businesses in Waterford shows a potential increase of 60% in rates after the Government’s revaluation of rates which is under way, for which they get nothing in return. Health insurance costs have increased by 10% in the past 12 months, much of it driven by tax changes. Small changes are happening quietly, but when they combine, it is too late and they are costing jobs. The rates increases are costing jobs. For what people will have to pay in rates they might have to pay somebody to come to work in their premises in Waterford. They cannot do this now that they have to pay increased rates.

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