Fine Gael Senator Paul Coghlan has called for the introduction of commercial rates on the car parking spaces of out-of-town retail centres. He said that the current situation is negatively impacting Irish town centres, and the rates would generate income for local authorities.
Coghlan told the Seanad, “This inequity, if left unchecked, will contribute to the erosion of the social, economic and community functions of Irish town centres and lead to dereliction, urban decay and the associated costs imposed on the wider society.”
Coghlan wants to amend the 2001 Act on the Private Members’ Valuation Bill, which would make retailer outlets car parks subject to a rateable valuation. Senator Maurice Cummins seconded the Bill.
However, Minister of State for Housing and Planning Jan O’Sullivan said that the Government would not impose the Bill, but if any changes to valuation practices were to be made, they would have to be carefully considered.
© 2013 - Checkout Magazine by Genna Patterson
