Call for overhaul of local government funding model

Business leaders want the Government to overhaul the funding model for local government and reduce its dependence on business-related charges.

Cork Chamber chief executive Conor Healy led calls last night after the Irish Examiner highlighted the soaring number of cases coming before Cork District Court for overdue commercial rates.

Judge Olann Kelleher spoke out after 170 rates cases were listed at the district court. He said there were a further 200 similar cases due before him in the next two weeks.