Household charge query

LEAVING the merits and demerits of the €100 house charge aside for a moment riddle me this: If I can pay road tax directly to the local authority in person or online why can I not do the same with the house charge?

Why introduce a ” middle man” — an agency which will deduct a fee for “collecting” the money, thus reducing the amount available to pay for local services? Answer me that Mr Hogan or any member of the coalition.

Brendan Casserly