Tánaiste turns up heat on landlords

LANDLORDS will have to reduce rents on commercial properties to ensure businesses can survive over the next few years, Tánaiste and Enterprise Minister Mary Coughlan said.

The Government will also insist that banks set targets for lending to small businesses, in particular as part of the restructuring plans as the state buys further shares in them.

Costs across a wide area have been reduced over the past few months making the country much more competitive, but landlords will also have to play their part, Ms Coughlan said.