Feargal Quinn (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 5:

In page 7, between lines 30 and 31, to insert the following:“(3) The rated occupier or owner shall be entitled to seek a review of the rateable value of their property by the Commissioner of Valuation if at any time the value of their property changes.”.”.

In the interests of fairness, a person who is the owner of a property or is the occupier should be allowed to seek a review of the rateable valuation of the property. The Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland has highlighted this point too. A business value can change very quickly. For example, a petrol station which may get much business could lose it overnight if a bypass is opened on its route. It does not get a revaluation, however. A notable example of this occurred in Urlingford, County Kilkenny. Businesses need to be able to avail of some flexibility and realism when faced with such a situation.
We had a system for revaluations in such cases until 2001 which worked very well. In the United Kingdom, businesses are still allowed to seek such reviews. It is a sensible proposal and would contribute to a pro-business environment. Like upward-only rent reviews, I do not agree businesses should be locked into unrealistic rates or rents. Flexibility in business needs to be shown, especially in these tough times.
One only has to look at all the vacant retail units up and down the country, a point referred to earlier by Senator Barrett. Rates are a significant cost in business. If they were lowered and brought to more realistic levels, more businesses could start up. Footfall in our towns and cities would be increased as there would be a much more diverse array of shops to attract shoppers. The viability of vacant retail properties would be increased too. It is a win-win situation. Rates are not likely to be paid if a company cannot even afford to pay them due to poor trade. The amendment will feed into this process by allowing businesses to get more realistic rates that reflect their current circumstances, not rates that correspond to factors in the past. We need to bring back the principle of fairness. This amendment will bring in the principle of a non-restricted right to rate reviews. We had this before and it worked well. I hope the Minister of State can be open to this sensible amendment in some shape or form. It has the potential to set the foundations for more businesses to open up or for existing businesses just to survive. I hope the Minister of State will consider this.