Updated 10.15

The Finance Minister is to brief the Cabinet today on the controversy over the property tax payment methods.

Michael Noonan held talks yesterday evening with the Chairperson of the Revenue Commissioners Josephine Feehily, who gave a commitment to fully explain the payment options to the public, that includes carrying out interviews on radio and on TV.

She will also face questions on the issue when she appears before the Oireachtas Finance Committee on Thursday.

Revenue has placed ads in today's national newspapers to try to clear up confusion over the payment options.

The Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore says it is important that compliant tax payers are facilitated:

There has been widespread criticism of the payments system that will see home-owners charged for the 2014 tax this month, if they choose to pay by debit or credit card.

Extra staff are also to be made available to man the helpline.

Why this year?

It follows concern from the public, from retailers and from politicians- saying it is unfair for people to be charged in 2013 for a tax that is not due until 2014.

Yesterday the Finance Minister said that collecting the tax this month could also create accountancy difficulties for the government.

However, Revenue insist that card payments must be processed immediately because it would be illegal to hold onto people's card details until next year.

They say that people have other payment options that would not see the money being paid until it is due in 2014.