The Chambers of Commerce of Ireland (CCI) have said they intend to make commercial rates an issue in June's local elections.

The CCI claims county councillors across the State have allowed commercial rates to rise on average by 45 per cent since 1991, when inflation during the period was 19 per cent.

"CCI is not opposed to business and industry paying its fair share but since the abolition of domestic rates and rates on agricultural property, it is only business that must make rates payments," said the organisation."

While the average increase since 1991 was 45 per cent, the CCI claimed that some areas, including the Minister for the Environment and Local Government, Mr Dempsey's own constituency, Meath, had increases of more than 50 per cent.

The increases for city businesses were only marginally better, said the CCI. There was an increase in Dublin of 39 per cent, while in Cork the rise was 43 per cent and 50 per cent in Limerick.