Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Companies have no option other than to push up their prices in light of the health insurance increases that are being driven by the Minister, Deputy Reilly, and by the tax increase imposed by the Minister, Deputy Noonan. They have to increase prices when they are being faced with water charges. The Minister suggested that the rates burden has been reduced in many counties. The burden on small businesses has not been reduced. Businesses in Waterford that are going through the rates revaluation process are being absolutely hammered. Most companies do not have an inability-to-pay mechanism for rates. They get nothing for rates. They do not get any local services for the rates they pay. Companies throughout the country feel it is a little rich that they are being told not to pass on increases that are coming from the Minister and his Government colleagues.

See this speech in context