Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)

A charge of £900 per house is the average that is paid in Northern Ireland and the Deputy's party is in charge up there. The notion that Sinn Féin sought the abolition of the household charge, used its Private Members' time last week to do so, was a pure waste of time and very hypocritical, and I do not say that lightly.

In regard to following up on people who have not paid, letters will be issued in the next few weeks. We have cross-checked details with the help of the Data Protection Commissioner. We have access to information now that will allow people to get letters and to remind them of their obligation under the law. Also it is important for local authorities to get in this money, otherwise they could face cuts in services towards the end of year if they do not have it.

The Deputy will be aware that this is part of the EU-IMF agreement. I do not have the luxury of doing anything other than getting in this money. The Minister for Finance does not have any more money in the form of a Supplementary Estimate to give the necessary resources to local authorities. It is in everybody's interest to pay into this fund in order to ensure that the services continue to be provided and that employment in local government continues. I expect the Deputy supports the principle of expecting people to pay through property tax for services. There is a flat charge basis this year, which the Deputy has said is not the right way to go, but it will be different next year and in future years when the Government decides what form a property tax will take. Everybody will realise that there will be a much fairer and progressive system. I have always accepted that the flat charge was not ideal but we were obliged to implement it because of the obligations to which we signed up under the EU-IMF agreement.

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