Dáil debates

Wednesday, 21 March 2012

Leaders' Questions

 

4:00 pm

Photo of Micheál MartinMicheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)

At the outset, I wish to take this opportunity to extend my sympathies and those of my party to the family of the late, great Jim Stynes, who passed away on Tuesday after a long illness. He was a true sportsman who used his other skills to help others, particularly children and young people, who were disadvantaged. He was a proud Dublin man and an Irishman who became an Australian national hero. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.

Since the Government announced the introduction of the €100 household charge, it has been mishandled in a ham-fisted manner. It smacks of arrogance, carelessness and incompetence. Even though the announcement was made last July, the majority of households nationwide have yet to receive information leaflets and only ten days remain before the deadline. There has been no proactive campaign and not everyone has access to the Internet for information on how to pay or is aware of what choices are available. For example, as the Tánaiste is aware, there is total confusion about people being allowed to make payments at the post office. The Irish Postmasters Union has been commenting on this for weeks and its general secretary summed it up when he stated, "Minister Hogan...appear[s] to be going out of [his] way to make it difficult for people who want to pay to do so with ease". The only response from the Minister, Deputy Hogan, has been a pronouncement from on high that there would be no extension to the deadline. This is despite the fact that up to 11 a.m. this morning, his Department has indicated that only 280,000 have registered out of 1.8 million households that are obliged to register. Intense anger is growing across the country about the manner in which this charge has been handled.

The Government's attitude is practically Orwellian and the mantra appears to be "Big Phil is going to get you". The mantra emanating from the Government appears to be that no matter what, whether through utility charges or pay cheques, there will be nowhere to run or to hide. Big Phil is watching you and he will make you pay.

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