Business rates are seriously harming competitiveness and hammering job creation and that is why Fine Gael is introducing a Dáil Motion tonight (Tuesday) to freeze all business rates in Councils until 2012, Local Fine Gael Councillor Neale Richmond has said.

“This evening, the Party’s Environment Spokesman, Phil Hogan TD will table one of the shortest Private Members’ Motions in the history of the Dáil. Our motion is simple, direct and will get to the heart of one of the major stumbling blocks to competitiveness in Ireland.

“Considering that, just three months ago, in its local election manifesto Fianna Fáil pledged to freeze business rates. I fail to see how any Fianna Fáil TD could not support my Motion ‘That Dáil Éireann calls on the Government to freeze all Government charges on businesses until 2012.”

“After the local elections, Mary Coughlan refused to honour that commitment stating that Fianna Fáil would not be freezing rates. This is the equivalent of the Government meting out a punishment beating to local business for not voting for Fianna Fáil. This must stop and tonight Fianna Fáil and Green Deputies will get their chance as I am calling on all parties to sign up to a freeze in business rates.

“Ireland needs a competitive, indigenous business base if we are to return this country to a secure financial footing. To restore competitiveness we need to lower business costs to help them through the recession. Our businesses already pay some of the highest energy costs in Europe and are burdened with needless red tape and bureaucratic road blocks.

“Our small and medium businesses are vital to the health of both the national and local economy. Small businesses employed over 800,000 people in every town and village in the country before the worst of the current crisis hit. They also contribute billions in tax to the national finances every year. The current crisis has hit them hard with scores shutting down and many people put on social welfare.

“While Fianna Fáil was part of the problem, Fine Gael will be part of the solution. As the largest party in local government, we will be putting the long term needs of the country and economy first by pressuring all political parties in all local authorities to sign up to a business rates freeze until at least 2012 in order to keep costs stable.

“We need to take action now to give viable businesses the best chance to survive the current economic downturn. Then we can all look to a more stable and prosperous future in the years to come.”