Does the Minister agree with the action of Kildare County Council who are attempting to use the provisions of the Offences Against the State Act against persons who are protesting against this new tax? Does he consider that constitutes a proper way for local authorities to act in order to impose this new tax?

I am concerned that the moneys that local authorities require can be collected locally, that local public officials or representatives might indeed encourage constituents who perhaps support them to pay this tax, thereby maintaining employment in their respective areas and rendering the services required by people in those areas.

A Cheann Comhairle, regarding——

The Deputy has 24 or 25 counties left and I have no intention of allowing him to travel around them county by county——

A Cheann Comhairle, I think you should allow me ask a question before judging. I intend remaining in County Kildare for the moment.

Perhaps I was issuing a caveat to the Deputy.

The Minister has not answered the question I asked. Does he agree that Kildare County Council should use the provisions of the Offences Against the State Act against persons who are protesting at the imposition of these rates, not people who have refused to pay but simply people who are protesting against the imposition of this new tax?

I am not aware that Kildare County Council use the provisions of the Offences Against the State Act in pursuing people for charges.

Nevertheless the facts are that they have used the provisions of the Offences Against the State Act against them.