Cork may help defray ‘sunshine tax’ on businesses

Cork County Council is to look at negating increases in the so-called sunshine tax for businesses that put seating and billboards outside their premises to attract tourists.

Council chief executive Tim Lucey said it was “unfortunate” that higher fees had been set at national level as therefore he had no choice under legislation but to implement the charges.

However, he said the council would examine a scheme to be supportive of such businesses and would work on finding a solution to this with the council’s tourism special purposes committee.