Denis Landy (Labour)

I mention the complications arising from the household charge and the need for a proper explanation to the people of the consequences of not paying the charge. That should be done in a very calm fashion and I ask the Leader to request the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Hogan, to come to the House for a further discussion of the matter. People do not realise this charge will be on their houses if they do not pay and it will carry forward to the sale of a house. It could end up as a charge on a will and there would be a difficulty if people want to move house.

I strongly condemn the kite flying that went on at the weekend by persons unknown regarding council staff being sent out to call to doors to collect the household charge from people. Are these the same people who advised the Minister when he refused to expand collection to all local authority offices and he refused to collect cash at local authority offices? Are these the same people who advised the Minister that people should not be able to pay the charge in a neighbouring county? Are these the same people who stuck their heads in the sand when we ran into this difficulty and failed to advertise except in the last ten days?