Jimmy Harte (Labour)

I join Senator O'Sullivan on the issue of the household charge and call for the Minister to address the House on this crucial issue. I read a statement from Donegal County Council today which stated that it may have to revisit its 2012 budget due to the shortfall in funding that will arise due to the non-payment of the household charge. The same councillors from Donegal County Council who are calling for members of the public not to pay the charges are now telling the public that the service from Donegal County Council will be reduced. The manager and executive of Donegal County Council have said that Donegal will be short, to the tune of €8 million, for services vital to the county. For these people to tell others not to pay their household charge is tantamount to subversion of the State. As Senator O'Sullivan said, we have a democracy and irrespective of whether we like it, our laws are passed in this Parliament. People cannot make the laws out on the street or we will end up in anarchy. People should not even suggest we break the law. It is one thing to tell people they cannot afford the charge or that they cannot pay it, but telling neighbours not to pay their debts is totally irresponsible.

I would like to highlight the fact that Sinn Féin does not know where it stands on the policy. With the draconian system that operates in Northern Ireland, everyone pays. The system there is not based on ability to pay, but on the value of property. People in social housing must pay there also. They have no choice.