Kenny opens Ard Fheis urging payment of household tax

The Taoiseach has tonight urged people to make their contribution towards the restoration of sound public finances by paying the household charge.

Enda Kenny made the call opening his party's Ard Fheis in Dublin.

As of 6 o'clock this evening, more than 528,000 people had paid the €100 tax, with bags of post still unopened.

Mr Kenny said that he knows new taxes are never popular and the household charge is no exception.

The Taoiseach thanked those who had already paid, and urged others not to be lawbreakers:

"I urge all others now to make their contribution to the restoration of sound public finances in this country by registering between now and the deadline at midnight tomorrow and thereby abiding by the law of the land"

With the referendum commission on the European Fiscal Treaty now established he also called for a Yes vote on May 31.

Mr Kenny said that he is confident the people will reject the idea that we can stand outside of Europe; put our recovery funds at risk; undermine the European economy or alarm international investors.