Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)

I tabled the amendments because I do not believe the local authorities will be in a position to collect the money efficiently and effectively, as believed by the Minister. It is bound to take time and money for them to get their new tax collection systems up and running. I would have believed the Revenue Commissioners would have been better placed to collect the tax temporarily. The Minister expects people to admit liability to the tax and pay up. If they do not pay up they will be fined €20, which fine will increase if there are repeat offences.

The data-sharing arrangements mentioned in the Bill will help. I would like to see the charge collected but am worried about the state of local government finances. Given the short run-in period, which commenced on 7 April, on which date the local authorities first received notice, it would have been more appropriate to use an existing revenue collection system this year than to require the setting up of a new administrative system at local government level. This is the motivation behind my amendment. If the Minister is satisfied the system he has put in place is appropriate, that is fair enough. We will judge it at the end of the year.

See this speech in context