Taxing times for businesses

IN ALL my 45 years as a public representative, I have never witnessed until now the mental strain and anxiety amongst the business community as they struggle financially to meet rents, rates, leases and income tax. This mental strain has sent many of them to an early grave.

To ease this mental pain and suffering there is need for leniency, compromise and flexibility. If fresh legislation is needed so be it. I am directing my appeal both to Government and the Revenue Commissioners, to be more lenient in their approach and demands on businesses, to meet financial obligations.

As I said many times in the past, the present system of imposing rates on business properties is undemocratic, outdated and may be unconstitutional. Rating on business properties should be revised and a waiver system introduced based on ability to pay. Business properties are rated on an archaic system, rather than no ability to pay. That system must be changed. with a waiver system, Local Authorities would be getting something but closed and de-rated properties are of no benefit to anyone.