Just in relation to the advice given on Victor’s show this morning regarding the household charge:

•  If you don’t pay by the deadline you will incur interest charges of one percent per month.
• There will be surcharges on top of this i.e. 10 to 30 % depending on when you pay.
• You wont be able to sell your house later without getting a certificate of discharge from the local authority saying you paid it.
• The Council can outsource the debt collection work and make you pay their costs.

This is the law now whether we like it or not. It is not popular but it will cost you more if you don’t play ball. My advice is pay up.

Shane Healy, Healy O’Connor Solicitors, Cork