John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

If those five are contained in the report, it should be possible to identify the five in question before the end of this meeting. Deputy Connaughton asked about the household charge and raised the issue of payments being paid but letters still being issued seeking payment. It seems to me that citizens who have complied and paid are being put to great inconvenience to clarify that payment was made as it is almost impossible to get through to the contact number provided. Even when they get through, they are quizzed as if they have done something wrong, although they have been acting properly in making the payment. I suggest that in order to be of greater assistance and deal with the inconvenience being caused, some extra staff or arrangements should be put in place to respond to people who have paid. How far has the Department got with regard to establishing the database of property owners? Is it near completion?