It’s one tax I don’t rate too highly

In reference to your article with respect to a prospective rates increase in Co Cork (Irish Examiner, Oct 30) the councillors quoted in that article are essentially talking out of their backsides and have no grasp as to the very real problems that people are facing, not only in business, but on the dole, with no hope of starting a business due to the rates required to do so.

The way to improve the revenue from rates is not to increase the burden on already struggling businesses.

This would be, for many, the straw that breaks the camel’s back resulting in more shop closures, and more people on the dole.