Paschal Mooney (Fianna Fail)

We will not be opposing the Order of Business.

On the household charge, I was looking for a quote that might sum up the continuing confusion now descending into farce. Today the media are reporting yet more examples which are adding to the confusion and which I would like the Leader to address. It seems that those living above retail outlets who had originally believed because they were paying commercial rates as per the leaflet distributed by the Government that they were exempt from the household charge are not exempt from it. It seems that those who have been using part of their commercial dwelling as a place of residence will have to pay the €100 charge in addition to the €200 second home charge. This will place yet another burden on small businesses. Will the Leader request the Minister - this is an important weekend for the Fine Gael Party - to, at least, clarify the position and outline how one can make the payment and also who is liable for the payment? This would serve the purposes of those of us who support the law of the land.

I draw the attention of the Leader to an imminent decision by RTE to shut down the LW 252 service which, as Members are aware, has been serving three quarters of the United Kingdom landmass since its inception over 20 years ago. Wearing my other hat of broadcaster to the Irish Diaspora, I can testify that this service has been essential in maintaining a link, particularly among the elderly who are not tuned in to Internet or high-tech services. As the Leader is aware, there is a high volume of traffic, both commercial and tourist, between Britain and Ireland who use the service on their travels to keep in touch with what is happening in Ireland. Notwithstanding the fact that RTE is in serious financial difficulty - I understand it must bridge a gap of some €20 million this year and that it is in that context that the termination of the service has arisen; I believe a decision is imminent and will be announced in the next few days by the director general Mr. Noel Curran - I ask the Leader to investigate what role, if any, the Government might play to ensure this service is maintained, particularly given the increased use of the Internet which RTE will use as a justification for terminating the service?

As I stated, I was looking for a quote that might describe, to some degree. what was going on in relation to the household charge. I have found one by Churchill who was always good for a quote that might apply to the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Phil Hogan, and which was made across the floor of the House of Commons:

He is one of those orators, of whom it is well said, "Before they get up, they do not know what they are going to say; when they are speaking, they do not know what they are saying; and when they have sat down, they do not know what they have said.

It would be useful if the Minister clarified the exact position on the household charge.