Fiona O'Loughlin (Kildare South, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I also wish to raise a query on the commercial rates Bill, which I understand will consolidate the existing legislation. We know that businesses throughout the country are struggling. They are dealing with increases in insurance and rents and now in rates. Last week in my county of Kildare, where there are more than 5,000 of them, all the ratepayers got letters relating to increased rents. I accept that the council sets the rate, but the issue is with the valuation. In almost all of those cases, the valuation has increased. In one situation, where rent of €12,000 is being paid, the Valuation Office is saying that the rent for the area should be €30,000, so the rates have increased from €5,500 to €7,200. This is not sustainable. The hospitality industry has been particularly hard hit. We must do everything in our power to ensure that our businesses are sustainable. They are providing employment and services. We must do more on the rates.

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