Taoiseach Enda Kenny has ignored threats of a potential mass boycott over the €100 household charge that will be introduced in January
Mr Kenny defended the tax, which will impact upon 1.6 million households.
Homeowners have until March 31 to register for the household charge, which will increase in future Budgets to become a fully-fledged property tax.
The Taoiseach said that the charge was vital in terms of getting Ireland back on track economically.
"This is a charge of €2 per week and it's going to be used for very vital services in each area around the country," said Mr Kenny.
The Taoiseach said the will go towards funding local authorities, including fire services, library services and water.
He also pointed out there will be a number of people exempt from the charge, including those on social welfare, people living in so-called ghost estates, and tenants in local authority housing.
"This money will go to fund services for your area and for every other area around the country, like fire services and libraries and street cleaning," said Mr Kenny.
"These things are all funded by the exchequer up until now and it's necessary that citizens understand that they can make a contribution of €2 per week."
