The Government is preparing for a major revamp of commercial rates. Many businesses and small and medium enterprises, SMEs, are depending on the Bill that will deal with them coming before the House. Local authorities will be given the power to reduce their rates. I come from Dundalk, where many small businesses are struggling to cope with the cost of rents, rates, insurance and other expenses. This is a very important issue. In his previous role as Minister with responsibility for the environment, the Minister pushed very hard in this respect. Can he advise what is happening with respect to commercial rates?

This is comprehensive legislation and it is going forward for pre-legislative scrutiny. It will essentially modernise our rates legislation that dates back to the 1920s. It will allow local authorities to have more autonomy in terms of altering those rates up and down in a way that can drive commercial activity into certain parts of certain counties and cities. This legislation is badly needed. The sooner we can co-operate with other parties to bring it forward, the better.