Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)

I thank Deputy Roche. I do not want to comment on a specific case for obvious reasons, including the fact that there are appeals mechanisms open and anybody can appeal a valuation to the Valuation Tribunal. The business to which the Deputy referred may or may not have done that. The level of increase to which the Deputy referred is not the general experience but is cause for concern.

Perhaps we can have engagement with the Minister for local government and my Department on these issues in Galway. Now more than ever we have to support indigenous industry. We spoke about multinationals earlier. We benefit hugely from foreign direct investment into this country. It is a really good thing in terms of job creation and revenue. A majority of people in this country are employed in Irish SMEs and we want to continue to support Irish business. I look forward to engaging further with the Deputy on how we can better support those businesses in Galway.

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