BOYCOTT HOUSEHOLD TAX

THE GOVERNMENT'S new household tax is unfair, unjust, immoral and must be resisted, Cllr Declan Bree said when he spoke at a meeting of the Campaign against Household and Water Taxes at the weekend.

“The government expects each household to register for the tax and to send the tax payment directly to the government. Fines and court proceedings have been threatened if people refuse to register to pay the tax. Contrast this with the manner in which the government has dealt with the bankers, developers and speculators who have ruined our economy. How many of them have been fined or jailed?

“This is the opportunity many homeowners have sought - to have their say against all the cut backs and austerity that has been foisted on them. Unlike the universal social charge, the cutbacks, and all the other measures which have taken money out of our pockets, this is something on which we will have a choice. We can boycott the tax by refusing to register.”

“I will certainly not register for the tax and I will not pay this tax. And I will appeal to people in the community to take similar action.” declared Cllr Bree.

“This is not about paying for public services. This is about paying the bank debt. The new household tax, like the universal social charge, and the ongoing cuts in health and public services is in essence a form of collective punishment against the great majority of Irish people who are being forced by government to pay the private debts of speculators, developers and bankers.

“A pensioner or low paid worker will pay the same as a millionaire. By any standard of fairness, it is wrong that the household tax will be imposed on people regardless of their ability to pay. One hundred euro may not seem a lot to government ministers who believe it is appropriate to pay advisers in excess of €135,000. To the unemployed or working poor, however, it represents a significant burden.

“Across the state a major campaign is being built to oppose this tax. The Campaign against Household and Water Taxes will be based on a refusal to register and a refusal to pay this new poll tax. Building this campaign will need the active involvement of ordinary people both urban and rural.” said Cllr Bree.