Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent) | Oireachtas source

In the smaller towns in the west, such as Castlerea, Boyle, Tuam and Mohill, there does not seem to be any strategy to create employment. We are back to these obstacles being put in the way. I firmly believe that the Departments need to adopt joined-up thinking. For example, I am aware of a hotel that could have been sold and 15 jobs created but for exorbitant rates. At this stage, we need to think outside the box. No matter how one looks at it, that was worth €300,000 being taken off the social welfare bill. At the same time, we were looking at rates of €40,000 and we lost the sale of a business. Can we not do a bit of new thinking? For example-----

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