The Chambers of Commerce of Ireland (CCI) today called for the introduction of a site value tax on all property and land, apart from principal dwellings.
The Chambers argue that this will help ensure that local authorities are properly funded and it is not just left to business community to pick up the tab.
Speaking at the launch of the CCI's capaign on Local Government Financing this morning, CCI Chief Executive Mr John Dunne, said "the Government has left local authorities to seek the necessary funds from the business community through commercial rates and Government mandated service charge schemes that are blatantly loaded against the business community".
"The net result is that, over the past five years, local authority revenue from business has almost quadrupled from €500m to €2bn and we are seeing leading edge suggestions of a drop in profitability of Irish small and medium enterprises," Mr Dunne said.
The chambers argue that a site value tax could generate at least €2 billion in revenue.
Meanwhile, commenting on the proposal the Green Party Finance spokesperson, Mr Dan Boyle TD said he was pleased to see the "Chambers of Commerce is adopting a green policy on such an important issue".
"Such a tax would be easier and cheaper to administer, would raise revenue, be fairer, more transparent and would involve fewer conflicts of interest," Mr Doyle said.