Chamber criticises rates increase

CORK CHAMBER chief executive Conor Healy has expressed disappointment at Cork County Council’s increase of 4.8% in commercial rates for 2008.

Mr Healy said local authority charges increases, especially commercial rates increases for 2008, should not exceed the projected rate of inflation, which the ESRI says stands at 3.3%.

Mr Healy said the rate of increase does not sufficiently address the ‘inadequate’ level of funding from central Government to local authorities.