Debate contribution: Rates: Chapels of Rest

Debate contribution by Mr Doug Beattie MC on 16 March 2026.

MLA: Mr Doug Beattie MC
Party at the time: Ulster Unionist Party
Date: 16 March 2026
Type: Debate contribution
Business: Oral Answers to Questions
Heading: Rates: Chapels of Rest
Assembly identifier: Official Report component 5448715

Text

I thank the Minister for his answer. I fully accept that he is doing an awful lot on rates, but he will know that chapels of rest are places of religious worship in the same way in which churches are, and churches are exempt. Importantly, chapels of rest are used by an awful lot of people who have lost young children, because they offer a more intimate setting. That is why I ask the Minister whether he will consider removing business rates completely from chapels of rest.

87 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Part of an exchange

This follow-up belongs to: Oral question AQO 3305/22-27.

Assessment

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