Denis Landy (Labour)

Aldi and Lidl. Up to 80% of retail trade is handled by these multiples, leaving 20% for small businesses. One might ask how this has happened in Ireland but not elsewhere in Europe. Planning regulations in mainland Europe protect artisan businesses such as butchers, bakers, fishmongers, and so on. In Ireland, we have allowed the Tescos of this world to sell everything from fish to meat to bread in store and unregulated. Therefore, we have wiped out our towns' artisan main street shops.

It is not too late to do something about this. Many towns have survived because the large multiples have not come to their doors yet, but they are on the way. Something can be done for certain areas.

Many Senators have discussed my next point, namely, commercial rates. Some 13 staff work in the rates valuation office. If a business or local authority applies for a general rates valuation for a town, it will likely need to wait years for it to be done. The most recent valuations took place in Donegal. In most cases, its property rates were decreased.

The calculation of rates is a blunt instrument and no account is taken of a company's trading figures. There must be a link between how a company is trading and the rates it pays. If this was the case, we would have a fairer system. I ask the Minister of State to take a serious look at this proposal.

Many speakers, including Senators Sheahan and O'Donovan, mentioned that small businesses cannot get finance to sustain their businesses. I have been contacted by many small businesses, which are limited companies, who have put vast amounts of money into their pension funds and who, because of current legislation, are unable to access these pension funds which they wish to invest in sustaining or growing their businesses at full risk to themselves. However, legislation to allow this would be required. When legislation in this regard is introduced in the House in the coming weeks, the Minister of State should support it.