Brian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein)

The Sinn Féin amendment proposes that the fee be abolished. If the fee is in the legislation it can be increased at any time by ministerial order. That is the thin end of a thick wedge. There will be no €50 charges for anything in this country. One would get very little for €50 if one was dealing with a statutory agency or with a governmental or any other body. The fear is that the fee will be increased.

In an earlier debate I referred to the people in Parnell cottages. I see the Minister is laughing. It is all very well for Deputies on the Fine Gael benches, who go up the long avenues. The people up the long avenues will be able to afford the fee.

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