Elected members of Clare County Council are defending their decision to hike commercial rates.

As part of the €204 million Revenue Budget agreed on Wednesday evening, the property tax on commercial premises has been increased by 8%.

It's the third time the local authority has taken such a measure, and has been backed by its Director of Finance, Investment and Enterprise Noeleen Fitzgerald, who's explained that over 75% of businesses will see an increase of under €6 in their weekly amount owed.

To discuss this further Alan Morrissey was joined live in studio by Noeleen Fitzgerald, Director of Finance, Enterprise and Investment at Clare County Council and Mayor of Clare, Fine Gael Councillor Paul Murphy.

Image (c) Pat Flynn