Minister for the Environment Phil Hogan is to seek clarification from the Attorney General this morning in relation to conflicting advice being given by he and his Department officials regarding the household charge.

According to Roscommon Labour Senator John Kelly confusion has arisen over whether people who are paying rates on an adjacent business are also liable for the new charge.

Subsequent to raising the issue in the upper house yesterday, it emerged that the Minister and his officials were indeed giving conflicting advice to concerned people.

The Minster informed Senator Kelly that a problem of interpretation existed between himself and his officials, but has promised to get clarification from the Attorney General first thing this morning.