Denis Landy (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank all Senators who contributed to the debate. I sincerely thank Members for allowing this motion to pass without amendment. That means a lot to Senator Whelan and myself because this motion was tabled in the spirit of trying to direct policy in order to improve the lot of small and medium-sized businesses. It gives me no great pleasure to say to the Minister that as we speak, an interim examiner has been appointed to A-Wear, which employs 350 people in 40 shops around the country. This is not an issue that will arise in the distant future; it is happening today, here and now.

We live in two Irelands: rural Ireland and the Ireland of Dublin. They are two different places. Rural Ireland is suffering, but it is not all doom and gloom. We are facing a budget next week whether we like it or not. I am pleased to say that, for whatever little pleasure it gives me, the reduction will be €2.5 billion as opposed to €3.1 billion. That is no great boast and I do not boast about it, but at least it is better than what it looked like two weeks ago.

I welcome much of what the Minister of State said, particularly the fact that direction has been given for a waiver scheme for development levies. I was a member of a local authority for 23 years in Carrick-on-Suir and I am pleased that rates have not been increased in most towns and some towns have reduced their rates. I welcome the JobsPlus scheme, which should be utilised in retailing to take on employees. In response to Senator John Crown, the scheme is logical and it makes sense. People can gain work experience in the retail sector, which will provide them with the opportunity to take up work when the retail economy improves.

The Minister has set up an interdepartmental group. I hope she takes on board what I have requested today so that this group can become a national task force on retailing in town centres in rural Ireland.

The Minister has already set up an interdepartmental group and I hope the Minister of State will take on board what I requested today, namely, a national task force on retailing in town centres in rural Ireland.

We still need guidelines for parking in rural towns, although there have been some fantastic initiatives. When I was on my feet before I meant to mention the example of Thurles in Tipperary, which has three hours of free parking from 9 a.m. to noon every Saturday. Councillors in the town have told me the footfall in the town is significant in that period. Local authorities have also taken initiatives with regard to rates, and my own town council - I do not mind saying it was led by me - brought forward a rates initiative that gave a rates holiday to new businesses, provided there was no duplication.

If there is a constitutional issue with upward only rents, we should have a referendum on the matter. It could be on the same day as the local elections next year rather than costing the taxpayer another €15 million. I guarantee that the "Yes" side would garner 99% of the vote in that referendum because people want to see businesses trade and survive, and people understand the problem with it.

I accept there is a cost factor involved in urban renewal but we could have a scaled back version linked to job creation and which would ensure that retention of jobs is to the fore. That is instead of having bricks and mortar, with units that are no longer needed. We should put our heads together to formulate an urban renewal scheme relevant to where Ireland is today, as opposed to where we were when the previous scheme operated in 1986. I ask that the national task force be put in place as we will see a benefit from it. It will create jobs in the country.