Business groups lash out at rising rates charges

Employers groups have said businesses should not have to pay rising local authority charges.

IBEC has said that it should no longer foot the bill for water and waste charges, rates and levies.

It said councils are not subject to public scrutiny on spending and that councils spent €3.6bn of public money last year.

Turlough O'Sullivan, Director General of IBEC warned that businesses have had enough.

"Most people would accept that it was a mistake in 1977 to abolish rates, because it has simply created a huge headache in terms of funding of local authorities," he said.

"The reality is that an alternative system of funding will have to be found, because business will not continue to pick up the tab indefinitely," he said.