Hoteliers demand 'fairer' rates

Local authority rates must be overhauled in order to create a fairer business environment, delegates at the Irish Hotels Federation (IHF) 67th Annual Conference were told in Cork today.

The current system of rates, rising at an average of 6% per annum, places an unfair burden on the commercial sector, the conference was told, with 40% of the €3.4bn required by local authorities annually contributed by commercial businesses.