Rates proposal to benefit sports clubs

FIANNA Fáil is proposing a new law which will drive down commercial rates for sports clubs that have a licensed bar on site.

Under the

‘Valuation Bill 2014’ clubs will only be liable to be charged rates on the part of their property that is licensed to sell alcohol.

Malahide ward councillor Eoghan O’Brien (FF) told Northside People:

“At the moment sports clubs in Fingal and around the country are being charged commercial rates on dressing rooms and sports halls as well as their bar.

“Under the

‘Valuation Bill 2014’, clubs will only be liable to be charged rates on the part of their property which is licensed to sell alcohol.

“This will free up extra money for cash strapped clubs to invest in their facilities.

Cllr O’Brien added:

“There has been a major reduction in sporting grants in recent years and I think implementing this change in the law would be a shot in the arm that a lot of clubs in north Dublin need.

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Fianna Fáil Senator Darragh O’Brien is urging the Government to accept the Bill, describing it as a common sense proposal.

“If the Government accepts this legislation it would allow sports clubs around the country to make an application to the Commissioner of Valuation seeking a

‘revision’ of their commercial rates paid to their local authority,

? he said.

“This would be a huge boost for clubs in north Dublin.

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