by Alan Jacques
LIMERICK City and County Council has started issuing summonses to local business owners for non-payment of commercial rates.
The local authority has issued the first batch of 27 summonses for this Friday’s sitting of Limerick District Court. A number of these have already been settled with payment plans being agreed and accounts being cleared.
The Council says it will be seeking a decree for the outstanding amounts before transmitting the secured decree to the court sheriff.
Council administrative officer John O’Brien confirmed that more cases would be listed for the following months to tackle the outstanding arrears on rate accounts.
“The Council is advising any ratepayer, currently in arrears, and experiencing difficulty in meeting their rates liability, to contact their Revenue Collector. Failure to address the issue will lead to legal action being initiated by the Council,” said Mr O’Brien.
Sinn Fein councillor Lisa Marie Sheehy told the Limerick Post that she believes there needs to be repercussions for businesses who are choosing not to pay their rates.
“The council relies on rates to perform its daily duties. Court should always be a last resort but we need to chase those who can pay,” said Cllr Sheehy.
“However, the council needs to work with struggling businesses so they don’t have the same pressure put on them as it is not fair. You can’t get blood from a turnip and negotiations of payment plans and other means need to be organised to support these vulnerable enterprises,” she added.
