Tim Lombard (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I wish to raise the RTB and how it actually operates, or rather, whether it operates, which is the real issue. I believe it is appropriate that the Minister comes to the Chamber to address the key issues regarding how the RTB is actually working or trying to work with the general public. We have heard scenarios in the office where cheques have been sent to the RTB and it has written saying it never received the cheques, but the cheques have been cashed. How in the name of God could an organisation work in such a scenario?

We are also dealing with the issue that the contact details are a PO box in Clonakilty. The RTB is literally untouchable and uncontactable. We have no idea exactly how it operates. I do not know what the €80 goes towards. I had a lady in the office who wrote to the RTB, gave it a cheque for one property and wanted forms for another property. The forms came, the cheque was cashed and she has been informed that the cheque was never cashed. This is a bizarre scenario. We have done our best to contact the RTB on numerous occasions. The direct line is an absolute joke at this stage. The email address is an automatic response. There is no contact and no ability to get information. People are in and out of the office every day of the week banging their heads against a brick wall.

The Minister should come to the Chamber. He should come with an update on, first, how the RTB interacts with the public and, second, its traceability when it comes to cashing cheques and then informing the public that the cheques have not been cashed, writing to them saying their property is not registered because the money has not been paid. There is an issue somewhere; I do not know where. I am not saying fraud is involved but there is an issue. We need to make sure there is a decent RTB service in place. We do not have that at the moment. I propose through the Leader's good name that we ask the Minister to come to the Chamber at the soonest possible moment to discuss these serious issues.