COUNCIL CALLS ON GOVERNMENT TO RESCIND DECISION ON HOUSEHOLD CHARGE

AT ITS monthly meeting the members of Sligo County Council, by majority vote, adopted a motion proposed by Cllr Declan Bree, calling on the government to rescind its decision to impose a Household Tax

Addressing the meeting Cllr Bree said "A number of years ago while speaking in the Dail Enda Kenny said it was morally unjust and unfair to tax a person’s home.  Mr Kenny likened such a charge to ‘a vampire tax in that it drives a stake through the heart of home ownership.

"However today Enda Kenny and the Fine Gael/Labour coalition are attempting to impose a household tax which is just another device to make the majority pay for the bank bailout.   Ireland has a high rate of home ownership with 80% of the population owning their own house or apartment.   

"This new tax has absolutely nothing to do with improving Council services – the proceeds will go towards the bailout of bankers and developers, for which ordinary people are being bled dry.    

"At last months meeting of this Council we were clearly advised by officials that the household tax not would not provide any additional funds for the Council but would in fact create an extra burden for the Council." said Cllr Bree.  

"The Household Tax is extremely unpopular.  In the face of this unpopularity, Fine Gael and Labour are trying to threaten us with fines and sanctions to make us pay up.  

"What the government is attempting to impose is not a property tax in the real sense – one which would be levied on the wealth and assts held by the wealthiest sections of society. A real property tax would make sure those who own real wealth would be obliged to pay more taxes.  Instead what is being imposed is simply a home tax.    

"This new tax is unfair, unjust, immoral and must be resisted.  I therefore propose the following: 'Recognising that the new Household Charge is unfair and unjust; and aware that the Charge will not result in any additional funds for local authorities and in fact will be a burden on this Council and other local authorities; Sligo County Council calls on the Government to rescind its decision to impose the Charge.'"   Cllr Bree's motion was seconded by Cllr Sean MacManus.