Fergal Browne (Fine Gael)

Senator Brennan is introducing new factors now. I am asking a straightforward question. Fianna Fáil is promoting this measure as if it will allow everyone to live in rural Ireland when it knows in reality that the same problems will exist. We all know we will get many telephone calls, as Senator McHugh and everyone else is getting, from people who have been refused in the past and who will be extremely disappointed. I suspect, however, that they will be disappointed after the local and European elections when they have given their vote to Fianna Fáil and cannot reverse their decision. Unfortunately, they will not realise they were conned until then. The story of the emperor with no clothes comes to mind when I hear people speak here.

Carlow has one of the lowest development levies in the country. That is because we have a Fine Gael-led council since 1985. We have worked very well with Labour but if Fianna Fáil had the chair, the charges would be much higher, like those in Kilkenny. Is the Minister of State aware of a recent case involving a constituent of mine from Carlow who is building in Kildare? Kildare brought in new development levies on 24 February and a decision was due in this gentleman's case on 18 February under the old development levy system. On the week his planning decision was due, however, he got a letter seeking further information from the council and he is now liable for the higher development levy — in this case an additional €13,000. That is wrong and unfair.