Funding local councils ‘unfair’

THE system of funding local authorities came under fresh fire yesterday when the group representing Irish hoteliers joined last week’s calls by the Chambers of Commerce of Ireland for an overhaul to ease the pressure on businesses.

Irish Hotels Federation (IHF) president Richard Bourke said changes to the rates system were essential to prevent the business sector from being unfairly singled out and penalised.

A new system was needed that would be based on business profitability rather than the value of the property where business was carried out, he said.