Paul Gavan (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 1:

In page 8, between lines 31 and 32, to insert the following:“(6) (a) The Minister may allow for a multi-annual increase in a rate payment and multiannual decrease in a rate payment following a re-valuation if requested by a local authority.

(b) The Minister may by direction in writing amend or revoke a direction under this section (including a direction under this subsection).”.

The Minister of State is very welcome. This amendment allows for the Minister to facilitate a multi-annual increase and a multi-annual reduction in a rate payment following a revaluation, if requested, by a local authority. The amendment is a response to the valuation process, particularly where the local authority area completes the process but has not done so in a number of years. As the Minister of State will know, many business owners can then experience a drastic and very abrupt spike in their rates. This may happen where the property itself has not undergone any improvement works but the area around it has. As was mentioned on Committee Stage in the Dáil, some of these businesses have experienced a 300% to 400% increase in the space of a year, although such increases are rare.I give credit to Deputy Pat Casey who first introduced this amendment on Committee Stage in the Dáil on behalf of Fianna Fáil. We wanted to make sure it was discussed in this House also. My colleague, Deputy Eoin Ó Broin, is also very much in favour of it, as is our entire party.

In the absence of an effective valuation system that is not sensitive to what large increases can do to a small business, and after possibly decades of radio silence from the Valuation Office, this should not be acceptable. In many ways, this amendment addresses the resource issues of the Valuation Office. If it is not able to hold more regular revaluation processes, another mechanism must be created that allows sensitivity to be shown towards businesses that experience large increases in rates.

I put it to the Minister of State that this proposal is common sense. I understand this type of model is already in place in Irish Water, so we know the Government can put such a model in place. It would mean that businesses would not face either a sharp spike or decrease in rates as increases would be introduced in phases in line with the Revenue's overall rules to keep this revenue neutral. If the Minister of State does not adopt this amendment, he will let down business people throughout the country. That is the bottom line. It is common sense and has broad support across the Seanad. I hope this Chamber today is used respectfully. I do not want to hear the Minister of State say the amendment cannot be adopted because we are finishing up this week. It is the right thing to do and I ask him to do the right thing.