Employers' group IBEC has called on local authorities to reduce commercial rates and water charges.

It comes after a survey it carried out revealed that businesses continue to pay "boomtime" levels, with €1.4bn being spent on commercial rates and €200m in water charges.

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The group found that all but one local authority had actually increased water and waste water charges, by amounts ranging from 3 to 11%, with all authorities charging significantly more than in 2007.

This is, as the groups report highlights, despite a 25% decline in turnover.

While calling on all local authorities to reduce these costs to businesses, they also urged that the planned transition to Irish Water did not result in further increases.

(MH/JP)