Barry Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

No definitive programme of action is on the table. The reasons for this are that the procurement process has not been completed and the regulator will be the one to make the decision. We have established that the Government will hide behind that person. We will pass the Bill despite there being no information ready to go to the regulator tomorrow morning. As we do not know when that information will be ready, we do not know when the new Bill will be compiled to address the issues that we have raised.

This being the case and until such time as the Government or the regulator proves otherwise, the least that the former could do in respect of the proposed amendment would be to acknowledge the need for exemptions for those who are unable to pay. God knows that they will not be able to afford the leaflet drop being sent out next week regarding the property charge.

In the absence of relevant and correct information that would allow the House to reach a justified conclusion, the Minister of State has confirmed that-----

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