Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)

I thank the Minister for his response and urge him not to under-estimate the level of confusion there is about how to pay the charge, particularly among people who do not have Internet access. The issue of how to make the payment is one that has been regularly raised with me. Because the legislation specifies a principal office in which this matter be handled, local authorities believe they are doing their job well if they have one office within their jurisdiction that provides for managing this charge. It was extraordinary to hear that An Post sought to make a profit from handling a transaction on behalf of the State when many other household transactions can be made and handled in the post office.

At the very least, we must deal with the position whereby people have to travel past city council community facilities and offices to go to a central place where they can pay the charge. That position needs to be changed before 31 March and then that change will need to be advertised.

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