Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)

I do not wish to be disrespectful but people should not hold their breath. If it takes as long for the Department to draw up these regulations as it has taken for it to draw up other legislation in which it has been involved over the past four or five years, some people who hope to have the financial burden of management agencies alleviated could be waiting a long time.

I thank the Minister of State for accepting the Bill but I hope it is not a ruse to get by in the next general election. I hope it is an indication of meaningful intent by the Government to recognise that the burden placed on people by virtue of these extraordinary charges is such that it must be dealt with. I congratulate the Government if this is its intention. Otherwise, we must wait and see.

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