Jim Walsh (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I would suggest the Minister would look at having some sort of small commission or review group to look at the rates system and conduct a root-and-branch trawl to see if it could come up with something which is more commensurate with the requirements of the economy, and ability to pay should be factored in.

We have also had a situation - it is applied in every town - where enterprising shopkeepers, who invested - perhaps borrowed to invest - in improving their premises subsequently had their valuations increased and ended up paying more rates. They were penalised for doing that whereas the ones who did not invest or renew - where one would like to have seen it happen in the interests of proper urban development and making the towns more attractive for shoppers coming to those locations - ended up without any review. There is a need in this area for it to be systematically examined.

My fundamental point here is that the direction in which the Minister is going will heap more charges and costs. It is regrettable that the Government likes heaping costs and taxes on hard-pressed taxpayers and individuals, and now on shopkeepers and on small businesses. I would ask the Minister over Christmas-----