Mary White (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Local authorities cannot rely on retailers to increase the rates. The rates on small shops which are endeavouring to keep going are exorbitant. One of those who was with me this morning has an outstanding rates bill for €60,000. Her bank went out of business and fled the country and now she is trying to negotiate with a new bank. She is a very good business person but consumer spending in the retail area has practically come to a halt.

In out-of-town centres appropriate rates should be charged to large companies with mega backup supports. These are not ordinary small retailers, they are colossal companies. I do not say I do not want competition. I love competition, it is the spice of life and I believe in it. What is happening at present is very unequal. The banks are disastrous and are not giving money to companies they consider might be vulnerable. For example, Danske Bank fled the country and would not have anything to do with this person. There is also the high cost of energy. I make the point that local authorities do not look at the issue in terms of employment created by retailers in all the towns and villages. They give first hand opportunities to local manufacturers to display their products, thus creating employment .