Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I am very proud of the work my colleagues, Deputy Jim O'Callaghan and Senator Robbie Gallagher, have done on the Bill and I am delighted to see it reach this stage today. It will have a real impact on the people and business owners of Carrickmacross and south County Monaghan. As matters stand, businesses on the west side of Carrickmacross Main Street must pay ground rent to the Shirley estate as the property is a freehold. The Bill will allow people to buy the freehold of their properties. Once enacted which, I am delighted to hear, the Minister intends to ensure before the end of the year, businesses will no longer have to pay ground rents to landlords arising from Ireland's colonial past.

As the Minister knows, we met business owners in Carrickmacross numerous times and their anger about the challenges they face was palpable. This legislation will affect business owners across the country, but the Minister and I, along with Deputy Ó Caoláin who attended the meetings with us, are familiar with people's frustration about an archaic law which placed a huge burden on business people. It was particularly unfair on those on one side of a street in Carrickmacross. This is a wonderful day for those business people. It is to be hoped that the legislation will bolster business in Carrickmacross, not just at Christmas time but for many years into the future. Business people in the town are under the same pressure as many others in having to pay rates and meet their overheads. I thank everyone involved in ensuring that the Bill is passed. Jim Hand and many others in Carrickmacross will be very happy to hear that the legislation has eventually come to pass.

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