Retailers have today called for a 20 per cent cut in commercial rates.
In a statement, Retail Ireland, the Ibec group representing the retail sector, called on all local authorities to cut commercial rates when voting on the matter later this month.
The organisation said it has written to every local authority, all city and county managers, and the Taoiseach and Opposition leaders to ask for this cut.
"Over the last year 30,000 retail jobs have been lost and the sector is struggling to avoid further redundancies over the coming months," said Retail Ireland director Torlach Denihan.
"Local authorities must play their part in the retail sector's efforts to regain lost competitiveness and safeguard employment. As can be seen from the Consumer Price Index released last Thursday, retailers have cut prices aggressively over the last year.
"They [local authorities] now need to act responsibly and help the sector retain employment in view of the threat posed by the collapse in sales, aggravated by cross-Border shopping," Mr Denihan said.
He criticised "the incredible decision" some local authorities took last year to increase the annual rate on valuation.
"We are particularly disturbed that a revaluation exercise in south Dublin and Fingal is further aggravating the problem, resulting in some retailers facing increases of up to 50 per cent."