Marc MacSharry (Fianna Fail)

Would it be possible for the Leader to arrange an early debate on the retail sector? As everybody is no doubt aware, the retail sector, like many other sectors, is facing a crisis, nowhere more so than in the Border area where the sector is challenged by the different VAT rate in the North, a lower minimum wage and 25% of a differential in the currency exchange rate. In that debate I would like to call on the Government to introduce a scheme to directly offer subvention to retailers in the six Border counties on their commercial rates. We cannot reduce VAT rates specifically for the Border counties or compensate them for the currency differential or allow them pay a lower minimum wage, but we could provide tangible benefits to retailers to help them price themselves into the market. We could, for example, give them a 30% reduction in their commercial rates. This could be reimbursed to the local authorities in question through the local government fund by Government. This would not be a significant amount, but it would provide support to the retailers of the Border counties who are struggling. This would be particularly worthwhile in view of the tens of thousands of people employed in the sector. I call for this debate and ask the Leader to raise the issue with the senior Ministers. The situation in the Border counties is severe and I urge the Leader to call for innovative action such as that I have outlined in terms of subvention on commercial rates.

While on the subject of the retail sector, it would be remiss of me not to acknowledge Senator Feargal Quinn and the series which begins today on RTE, "Retail Therapy", in which he gives of his expertise to try to help retailers in trouble throughout Ireland.

I reiterate that the situation is very severe in the Border counties and I ask that innovative action be taken such as that I have outlined regarding commercial rates.