Sandra McLellan (Cork East, Sinn Fein)
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Question 151: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if the household charge is in fact a law or a statute; if it is in fact law, if he will clarify the reason the public are being asked to register their consent to pay the charge instead of all home owners being sent a letter requesting them to pay it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11915/12]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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The Local Government (Household Charge) Act 2011 and the Local Government (Household Charge) Regulations 2012 provide the legislative basis for the household charge.

Citizens and residents of the State are bound by the laws of the State as enacted by the Oireachtas in accordance with the Constitution of Ireland.

The household charge is on a self-assessment basis and it is a matter for an owner of a residential property on the liability date of 1 January, 2012 to determine if he/she has a liability and, if so, that person is required to declare that liability and to pay the household charge by 31 March, 2012. The Act further provides for offences where a person contravenes these statutory requirements.