Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)

That does not really answer the question. The matter has not been handled well. People should simply be able to go to their post office to pay the charge. Many people cannot pay online and some are being penalised because they cannot pay online, as we heard this morning. The Government should have broadened the exemptions from the outset, as my party proposed. We suggested a number of amendments affecting welfare recipients and those in mortgage arrears and others with significant difficulties.

The bottom line is that the matter has not been well handled. The Tánaiste may talk about it being in the public consciousness but people have not been well informed. Leaflets are still coming in the door in the last week before the deadline.

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