Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

These are the people who want to make a real contribution in a modest way towards getting us out of the financial difficulties in which we find ourselves. These are the real patriots who want to restore our economic sovereignty which our predecessors, Fianna Fáil and the Green Party, frittered away, particularly Fianna Fáil. Thanks to the responsible approach taken by a great majority of householders, I consider the experience people have had to be a significant success, particularly as the charge was introduced from a standing start and without a database. Deputy Brian Stanley will agree that it is important to have an independent source of income at local level to meet the priorities of all local authorities in the same way one has in Northern Ireland.

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