IBEC seeks major reform of local council charges
01/03/2006 - 08:18:14The employers' body IBEC has issued a renewed call for reform of the current system of local authority charges.
The call comes ahead of the publication of a new government report on the matter today.
IBEC says the existing system of charges is burdensome and inefficient and is crippling small businesses.
The group says it wants today's report to lead to radical reform of the system.
"Local authorities are spending about €9bn a year," spokesman Brendan Butler said.
"I can't think of any other state agency spending that some of money that operates on a self-audit basis, which is what exists at the moment.
"Local authorities are going to have to become more accountable. They're going to have to become more transparent and they are going to have to become efficient."
