Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I want to refer to the needs of small businesses under the programme for Government. Businesspeople all over Tipperary were delighted when the Valuation Office decided to examine the process for rates valuation in Tipperary. A problem has arisen where it has reclassified the forecourt areas of petrol stations, where the fuel sold is of high value but there is very little profit, and cigarettes. There have been savage increases, in some cases of 200% to 300%. An issue was previously raised in regard to products deemed to be health foods, and the Government rolled back on that. This will have to be examined because it would put many out of business and many others will stop selling fuel, when filling stations are scarce enough in rural Ireland. While some, such as those with smaller shops, have been pleased with the revaluation, will the Government do something to examine this situation, which has arisen because of the reclassification of petrol stations and forecourt areas? There have been punitive increases of 200% to 300%, which they cannot pay.

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