Ned O'Sullivan (Fianna Fail)

Can the Leader have something done at Cabinet level for commercial ratepayers? I am thinking particularly of small family businesses and single retailers, like myself, who have struggled during this recession to keep our businesses going and our staff employed. The one unchangeable and fearsome bill received every year is the rates bill. The rateable valuation system needs a total overhaul. I ask the Leader to facilitate a debate on that matter.

We inherited a Victorian British system of rating, whereby each property has a notional value which has no bearing on the real value of a business. There are all sorts of anomalies. In a single street one might have five premises of different sizes paying different commercial rates and very often the smallest building has the highest rate imposed on it. We must do something about that inherited system. Even our most patriotic and law abiding retailers who always paid their way in the hardest of times are finding it very difficult now to pay their rates. Something must be done to help them. Every other sector has a lobby group. I do not believe the independent retail group are loud or forceful enough. I ask the Leader to have this matter raised at Cabinet and give these people some relief at this difficult time.

I second the amendment to the Order of Business.