Page 45 of the programme for Government refers to commercial rates revaluations. I have had calls and correspondence from numerous small businesses around Carlow-Kilkenny that are being crippled by 300% and 400% increases in rates. Some of the business owners to whom I have spoken will have to close. Fianna Fáil introduced a Bill in the Dáil previously proposing that the level of increases levelled on an individual business must be capped. Any increase should be allowed to be staggered at the discretion of the local authority over a five-year period. This would mean the increase would be limited and spread over time, as opposed to the current process of a single large increase. There is a clear need for a formal appeal mechanism for businesses to the local authority to restructure debt payments on the basis of ability to pay. A revaluation was carried out in Kilkenny recently. There were increases to small businesses' rates of 300% and 400%. This is impacting businesses. I am told that if there is no staggering, or if local government does not look at it, they will be closed down because they are SMEs-----

Go raibh maith agat. I call the Minister, Deputy Murphy.

I thank the Deputy for his question. The commercial rates Bill is currently being drafted. My understanding is that it does not require pre-legislative scrutiny, so once it is drafted and published, we will be able to move with it quite quickly. It will give new powers to local authorities of greater flexibility in how they treat businesses in their local authority areas.