Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

-----will be part of the new economic resurgence in that part of the country. Tá a fhios agam go maith cé atá i gceist agat.

I was talking to somebody from London the other night who has two houses. The person pays £172 per month for one house and £280 per month for another. The average household in Northern Ireland pays £1,259 for household charges. I accept that a flat tax is not the way forward here, and that is why this is a temporary measure. The Minister has asked for an expert report on best practice, whether it be residential property or valuation on the site. When that comes back, the Government will consider the range of options and decide what is equitable and what is payable. Clearly there are differences in the scale and location of houses and so on. This is a temporary charge of €100, which is €2 per week. The money will be used to provide the usual services such as libraries or lighting for footpaths.

When Deputy Adams tells me that his is the only party on the entire island of Ireland, perhaps he might indicate how it is that his own party members are willing to accept a charge of £1,259 in Northern Ireland while he complains bitterly about the €2 per week charge here.

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