Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)

I suggest to the Tánaiste that one reason there is a difficulty with this charge is that both the Labour Party and the Fine Gael Party made cast-iron guarantees and promises to people that such a charge would not be introduced. At the time, the present Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Burton, stated that a flat charge "is the unfairest possible way of all to introduce a property tax". Basically, if one states one thing before a general election, only to do the exact opposite having gone into government, it annoys people. The Tánaiste and Deputy Rabbitte may smile, but that is a factor. I was out and about last week and that is the common view. It creates difficulties for one when one executes a 180° U-turn and then tries to introduce something against which one railed recklessly a short time ago.

I note the Tánaiste stated he spoke to the Minister. What was the nature of his conversation with the Minister, Deputy Hogan? Is the Tánaiste suggesting to Deputy Hogan that he should extend the deadline? Is this now the Tánaiste's position? I listened carefully to what he said and the language was very coded. He simply stated there has been no change. He did not state there would not be any change and did not indicate what was the nature of his conversation with the Minister, Deputy Hogan. My party intends to bring forward simple legislation to amend the Act to extend the deadline to the end of September. Would the Tánaiste agree with that and would he be prepared to support such a simple amendment to facilitate people?

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