Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I understand the Taoiseach will visit Ballymahon on Monday to launch the rural renewal programme.

His visit will take place one week after an arm of the State issued letters to many businesses in Longford-Westmeath about rates revaluations. Yesterday, when I asked the Taoiseach when the heads of the Bill to deal with the revaluation of business rates would be published, he indicated that it would be later this year. In my constituency, some businesses have been issued with rate increases of 400%. In her reply to Deputy Brendan Howlin's question, the Tánaiste spoke about the need to remain competitive. How can a small business remain competitive when it receives a rate increase of 400%? Will the Tánaiste ask the revaluation office to put rate increases on hold until such time as the legislation promised in the programme for Government has been introduced?

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