Niall Collins (Limerick, Fianna Fail)

Fifteen minutes, ten and five, however we are going.

I would say at the outset that there is a problem with statements and announcements coming out of the Minister's Department and I will give him two examples. The publication of the Water Services (Amendment) Bill providing for a registration charge and monitoring of sceptic tanks was not accompanied by any public announcement until the Department was contacted about it. Second, this legislation, the Local Government (Household Charges) Bill, was published in the middle of the budget speech of either the Minister for Finance, Deputy Noonan, or the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Howlin.

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