While the Government's €6.5 million Covid-19 support package for businesses is welcome, more needs to be done in relation to the commercial rates aspect of the plan.
This is the view of Fianna Fáil Galway City East councillor, Alan Cheevers, who said the rates package should be a minimum of six months, "to give businesses a chance to get back on their feet"; and for the Covid-19 payment to be paid to employees for a number of weeks after businesses open to allow for "a positive cash flow".
He is also calling on the Government to "clarify the amount of commercial rates shortfall", saying he wants to see it extended beyond three months as many businesses will "struggle to be able to pay rates up to the end of year".
