Blackrock Residents Protest against Household Charge

Blackrock Residents Protest against Household Charge

Members of the public expressed their opposition to the proposed household charge at a meeting organised by Cllr Chris O’Leary in Blackrock last night.

The meeting was aimed at providing a forum for the community in Blackrock and Mahon to organise against the tax, and is the first of a series Sinn Féin will be holding across the city.
Speaking at the event, Cllr O’Leary said:
“The past two years have seen a raft of flat rate taxes and charges being introduced which will hit ordinary families hardest: the Universal Social Charge, the proposed Household Charge, and most recently the 2% levy on all insurance policies designed to cover the losses of the Quinn Group.”
“The Household Charge will be €100 whether the householder is earning millions or struggling to get by. As such it breaches the most fundamental principle of a progressive taxation system.”
“It is also the thin end of the wedge. Reputable economists have predicted it could rise to as much as €700 or €800.”
Calling the introduction of the charge a first step towards the privatisation of the water service, he said:
“Privatisation does not work. It is presented as providing more choice and a better service for the consumer, but in fact means the opposite. Just two companies control two thirds of all the privatised water utilities in the world.”
The meeting closed with a discussion of ways to forward the campaign, including protests at TDs’ offices.
For further information or comment contact Cllr Chris O’Leary @ 087-2794307