COUNCILLOR Liam Galvin has called for rates to be reduced for small businesses who cannot survive in the current climate.
At this months County Council meeting, Councillor Galvin expressed his annoyance at the fact that so many small businesses were being forced to close down as they cannot afford to pay rates.
The councillor who represents the Newcastle Electoral Area, said “Small businesses in villages and towns across the county are being forced to close. And rates are so high it’s not viable for shops to start up”.
He also expressed his disbelief that rates were being set in Dublin. “We should be setting our own rates”, he explained.
The Councillor went on to say: “It doesn’t seem right that all businesses pay the same rates. For example, a pound shop that makes very little profit is paying the same as a clothes shop with a much higher profit margin”.
Councillor Kevin Sheahan put in that “banks have charges in Ireland that do not exist in the UK The overheads are crippling small business”.
Councillor Sheahan continued “I call on the government to take steps in assessing the overheads. They need to legislate to deal with this situation”.
He pointed out that if the crippling rates were not dealt with, there would be consequences.
“Small businesses will be going to the wall and Irish life as we know it, will disappear.”
This motion was seconded by Councillor Galvin and Councillor Pat McAuliffe, and was passed.
