In the programme for Government, we were promised rural renewal, extra jobs and legislation. In Ballymahon, in recent days, we were told that this was going to be rolled out by the Government. There are a lot of views on that programme as to what it will deliver, but I have a lot of doubts about it. Right in the middle of that, there has been the revaluation of property. That revaluation of property is going to hit every county over the coming weeks, months and years. At the moment, the counties of Roscommon and Galway have had their properties revalued.

What legislation is the Deputy referring to?

Like every other question that has been asked, it is legislation from the programme for Government. I wish to give the breakdown on Roscommon because it is important. A total of 44% of businesses will see a reduction in their rates, 12% will remain unchanged and 44% will see an increase. I wish to give some of the figures. One businessman in Cortober in Carrick-on-Shannon will see his rates go from €44,000 to more than €130,000. There is another man who is paying rates of €15,000 or €16,000 at present. They are going to rise to €50,000. A tsunami is going to hit this Government in the coming months and it is not prepared for it. Small business people are livid about this and the Government must get involved.

For example, some of these people were going to create extra jobs but tell me that now they will not. Will the Taoiseach give me any comfort today for those people who are absolutely out of their minds with regard to the revaluation of their property?

I expect that Ballymahon, after the visit of many Ministers, will respond now to the incoming investment of Center Parcs in bringing some 1,000 jobs to that locality. I expect all the towns and villages around there will avail of the programme to increase their attraction as a location for hospitality, tourism and investment. The Deputy raises an important point. Government devolved responsibility for rates to local authority members. They have the option of increasing or reducing those rates by 15% depending on the authorities' programmes. Many have reduced or frozen the rates. Obviously, the issue of an increase in rates being given by the independent Valuation Office is one that can be appealed. The Minister, Deputy Coveney, is working with the local authorities to see whether it is possible to introduce a rates' alleviation scheme. Members in commercial business who have received an increase in rates can avail of the appeals procedure and the Minister will make his decision in respect of the possibility of a rates' alleviation scheme.