Peter Allen

Galway's rate policy was one of a number of key issues highlighted by new President of Galway Chamber of Commerce, Peter Allen in his inaugural speech to the organisation's members this week.

Mr Allen was not holding back when it came to business' relationship with the local authority and accused the City Council of "plugging" gaps in its revenue by increasing rates. He criticising the way in which rates are applied in the county, not taking business size or income into account.

"Rates are a crude form of taxation in that they are not based on ability to pay", he said, adding that "there is no service provided by Galway City Council that is unique to rate payers." Mr Allen concluded his comments on the City Council by saying that the government had ignored the key findings of the Indecon Report on commercial rates.

The new President said that traffic was also a major issue for Galway businesses: "Traffic bottlenecks and diversions are currently costing Galway businesses." He continued to say that the Galway City Outer Bypass was an important step for the city, but only "as part of an integrated plan", involving a redeveloped Ceannt Station, quality bus corridors and cycle lanes, and Galway Airport.

In his speech, Mr Allen also focused on more positive developments affected local business including the Volvo Ocean Race. The Galway stopover of the Volvo Ocean Race, he said, "is one of the most exciting and one of the most potentially significant things to happen in our lifetime". He congratulated the 'Let's Do it Ireland' group, chaired by John Killeen, for its work, and said he would ensure that the Chamber helps the group in any way possible, as there would be many benefits of the Race coming to Galway, including development of the dockland infrastructure.

Mr Allen also referred to the long history of Galway Chamber, saying that although it had recently celebrated its 215th AGM, it was only as strong as its members. He concluded by urging all members and prospective members to support the chamber as actively as possible in order to promote business in the region.

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