TraderstoMinister:‘Weare cryingoutforinvestment’
NORTH Kerry is crying out for a centralised body to take charge of rural development amid continuing high levels of unemployment and limited job creation, Minister Simon Coveney was told on Monday.
Traders in Listowel hit the Foreign Affairs Minister with a comprehensive overview of the local economy while he canvassed the town on Monday with local candidate Mike Kennelly.
Listowel Business and Community Alliance imparted its members’ general feeling that Fine Gael had not done nearly enough to help revitalise rural towns while in government.
The region is now crying out for investment and employment opportunities which remains stymied by the lack of centralised decision making when it comes to rural development, he was told. “We have multiple schemes for Rural Regeneration...There is currently no central body taking charge of policy, strategy, funding and research of our towns and crucially measuring successes and failures in this area. We want immediate action to see what is working,” Alliance chairperson Rose Wall said.
Everything is weighted against the small town traders in the context of the greater economy as they face high rates, insurance premiums and tax demands while trying to compete with overseas-based internet companies who pay comparatively little to the State.
“There is unfair competition between shop owners and online businesses who do not pay rates and Irish taxes where online businesses are overseas paying no Irish tax.
“Also the huge increases in insurance is crippling all Irish businesses and immediate action is needed to curb insurance costs.”
Head of the Alliance’s Retail and Enterprise Group and Listowel Supervalu manager Paul O’Connor told the Minister that the priorities for local retail now are: A reduction in damages on minor, fully recovered injuries; The introduction of a fully funded Garda Insurance Fraud Unit;
A commitment from insurers on premium reductions; and a review of the common duty of care leading to one that is reasonable, practical and proportionate.” They also called on the Minister to support Listowel’s efforts to capitalise on the looming Great Southern Trail extension, amid other demands.
“We want Listowel to develop as a true Irish authentic heritage town, to do this it is vital we get the support from government agencies to further our plans,” Ms Wall added.