Robbie Gallagher (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The Valuation Office is re-evaluating commercial properties and business premises throughout counties Monaghan and Cavan with a view to revaluing the rates relating to properties used for business purposes, namely, small shops, offices, bars, public houses or whatever. In recent days, I have been contacted by a number of business owners in Clones, County Monaghan, who have received documentation relating to the revaluation of the rates for their properties. Unfortunately, it has come as a great disappointment to and caused concern among them that many of them will face substantial increases in their rates bills, possibly for next year. They are so concerned that they held a meeting in Clones last night to discuss the matter. I understand that staff of the Valuation Office who are currently operating in County Monaghan are available to meet business owners. That is a positive development and the process is ongoing.

Senators know only too well that there are many towns and villages in which small shops, bars and restaurants are closing their doors. The problem is particularly acute in the Border counties. I am concerned that the Valuation Office uses a methodology to calculate rates that is based on the rental income of particular properties. That might be a useful tool and a barometer for a large provincial town but it is not for a small town such as Clones and many like it throughout the country.

We all have concerns about Brexit. Stark reports are coming out on a daily basis about fears over what might become reality for many of us after Brexit, no matter what kind of Brexit we get. No counties will be more affected than those in the Border region. I call for this process of revaluation of commercial properties throughout counties Monaghan and Cavan, and indeed the other Border counties, to be suspended until we know where we are going in the context of Brexit. Many business owners in Border areas have serious concerns over what the future will hold for them and the last thing they need is a rate increase on top of the uncertainty of Brexit. For that reason, I respectfully request that the Valuation Office suspend the process until we know what Brexit is going to look like.