MANY Westport business owners are angry over the disproportionate rise in rates due from January 2024.
While some members of the recently formed Westport Business Association (WBA) are happy with their rates and others are willing to tolerate rises of up 40 percent and more, there are more for whom a 300 percent increase is unrealistic, unfair and unjust.
The WBA, which has over 100 members, was set as a support group for business people, especially in the wake of exorbitant rates demands which are threatening the viability of some businesses.
Only last week the Government claimed that Budget 2024 would assist with the cost of living increases that we are all experiencing. The reality is that Government is at the heart of creating the cost of living crisis for homeowners and business owners.
The Budget postponed an expected excise increase in petrol and diesel until next year, yet the carbon tax was increased. This meant that fuel at the forecourts went up from midnight on budget day. That’s just treating people as imbeciles.
Many business owners are in a ‘rates crisis’. For those who find themselves with huge bills it poses serious questions. Of late, some businesses have closed down in Westport because of excessive costs. This is going to get a lot worse if the Government persists with the rates increases.
Many members of the Westport Business Association had already appealed their rates bills in the hope that the recent correspondence from the Valuation Office would reflect their concerns with revised rateable valuations. Alas, many are still disappointed and now fear for the future of their businesses.
A recently held open day where people could discuss issues with Valuation Office staff was farcical for some business owners. When they expressed concern over the huge rates hikes they were, I hear, smugly told to set up business in Louisburgh or Newport, where the rates would be lower. Such whipper-snapper arrogance from an employee who is paid by taxpayers is totally unacceptable and unprofessional.
Other WBA members were allegedly told that if they appeal now they might even face further increases in their rateable valuation. One doesn’t expect such shameful scare tactics to be used at an open day by public servants.

Businesses considering action
SOME WBO members are so angry with the outcome of the rates valuation that they are considering withholding their payments completely. Others, willing to pay last year’s amount, are considering withholding the increases demanded by the Valuation Office.
Anyone considering an appeal at this stage is now ‘condemned’ to an Appeals Tribunal that will take at least 12 months, and they might even be forced to employ a senior counsel in the process. In the meantime, they are not only expected but obliged to pay the increased rates demand, regardless of the level of increase. Should their appeal eventually be successful the Valuation Office will repay the difference… whenever.
Once upon a time businesspeople received water-in, water-out (sewerage) and refuse services for paying their rates. Now rates is another name for a Government tax without any services provided, with businesses paying for water and refuse separately.
Mayo County Council has 30 councillors, 22 of whom are members of Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael. If these county councillors stood together they could easily put pressure on their respective parties in power. The voice of councillors has to echo in the corridors of Leinster House and let the great and good in D2 know that all is not well.
The rates valuation process is complex, but that doesn’t mean that some businesses, especially small businesses, should be victims of the valuation system. There has to be a measure of fair play and equity. While some businesses are content to accept the valuation outcomes others are being hit very hard.
Too often we find that unelected people have too much of a say and influence on the lives of citizens – one example is the Valuation Office, or Tailte Éireann as it’s now called. While they’ll say they are only doing their jobs it is time to challenge ‘those who let them at it’ – the Government.
What would happen if ratepayers decided en masse not to pay?