The Taoiseach will be aware that commercial rates is one of the biggest bills that many small businesses face in Ireland today. The Valuation Office conducted a revaluation of the commercial rates across Longford-Westmeath in the last number of months and over 40% of the businesses there saw a significant increase in their annual commercial rates. We were told not to worry that the Government was bringing forward new legislation which would see how commercial rates are charged differently and would be proportionate to the business that is being conducted in these premises. We are now close to summer recess and to my knowledge, this legislation has not been published. When will the legislation be published because these new rates will come into effect on 1 January next year and they run the risk of putting many businesses out of business if not addressed before then?

The heads of that Bill were approved a few months ago by Cabinet. The Bill is currently being drafted in consultation with the Attorney General's office. I expect publication in the next session.

I have had revaluations happen in my constituency. It is a traumatic experience for those in business to have their business revalued and their rates increased dramatically, although it is important to point out that a revaluation is cost neutral. The revenue is supposed to be the same at the end of it.

Assuming everybody pays it.

There are winners and losers, but overall it is supposed to balance out. The fact that it happens so infrequently is a real problem and a lesson in terms of policy.