The Fine Gael group on Dublin City Council are holding a pre estimates/pre budget seminar for the business community at 10.30am next Wednesday 7th October, 2009 in the Mansion House on Dawson Street.The commercial rates will be set for 2010 by the city council in December.
Leader of the group, Councillor Gerry Breen said about the issue: ”Business is suffering in the city with a downturn in business and this has not been helped by the 3.3% increase in commercial rates by the city council for 2009. Fine Gael opposed this increase and with a deflation rate of 5.9% in 2009, this increase comes to 10% in real terms. Alongside this is the introduction of the College Green Busgate. The Busgate has shown that shoppers are opting for the convenience of out of town centres, such as the Pavilion in Swords or the Dundrum Town Centre. Both are showing year on year increases in turnover. It is time for the council to take on the concerns of business in the city, so that both employment and the commercial rates base in the city can be maintained. We also want to know what we in the city council can do for business.
Fine Gael wants to hear from all business so that we can bring those concerns and ambitions back to the council chamber. All are welcome”.
