Brian Walsh (Galway West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The previous speakers have asked many of the questions I intended to ask so I will not repeat them. I compliment the Minister on his contribution to this campaign. He has had an active role and taken a hands-on approach, and it is important to acknowledge that. Ms Mary Curtis provided data for the end of August and the uptake at that stage was at approximately 60%. Congratulations are due for that. The nature of the Irish people is that they tend to leave things to the last minute so a 60% uptake rate at that stage is very positive. Well done. It is running slightly behind the household charge payment rate so perhaps the Minister could get some tips from the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Phil Hogan.

In the context of other countries that have gone through this process already, is it possible to project what figures or percentage should be expected for the month of September, which is not included in the data, and up to 25 October? Invariably, there will be people who do not make the necessary adjustments. As regards communicating to those people the length of time they will be without a service, is there any estimate, depending on the numbers, of how long it will take to reach 100% uptake? After the event will people be waiting a week or two weeks? Is it possible at this stage to project what type of delay one would expect? It might be a useful exercise to communicate that to the public as well that is, tell them they have the opportunity now to avail of this and if they do not do so, they will be discommoded for a period of time thereafter.