Deputy Chris Andrews T.D. has welcomed the commitment by the Minister for Justice, Mr. Dermot Ahern T.D. to establish an inter-departmental working group which will examine the commercial rents issue. The Minister gave the commitment to Deputy Andrews at the Fianna Fáil Parliamentary meeting held last week

Speaking today Deputy Andrews said, “I welcome this commitment by Minister Ahern. The working group is to comprise of officials from the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and the Department of Justice. However, I believe it is critical that the stakeholders, who are currently affected by this problem, are widely consulted to ensure that a true and accurate picture of the current commercial rental climate is formed.”

“The working group must be established immediately and work within a specified time-frame. There is no room for procrastination on this, every day businesses around the city centre are being forced to close their doors, due to in part to unrealistic rental costs. A particular problem is the reluctance of institutional landlords, many of whom are availing of state support, to engage with tenants who are operating in a vastly altered commercial climate. The Government must ensure that once this matter is examined, action is taken.”

“I will continue to pursue this matter and in this capacity I have also requested the Joint Committee on Enterprise, Trade and Employment invite all of the stakeholders involved to present to the Committee as a matter of urgency.”