Socialist Party

Fingal County Council's Finance Director has stated that the proposed Household Tax will be of "no benefit" to local councils as it goes "straight into the Local Government Fund". The categorical statement from Mr Pat Keane came when presenting Fingal's Annual Budget  (20 Dec) and directly contradicts Minister Hogan's claim that the Household Tax is to fund libraries, fire brigades and other local services.

Upon questioning by Socialist Party councillors as to why income from the proposed Household Charge is not listed separately in the Council's Budget, the Finance Director said this was because no income whatsoever was anticipated for the Council from the tax as it goes centrally to replace what the government gives councils in the Local Government Fund.

Cllrs Eugene Coppinger, Matt Waine and Ruth Coppinger said: "This confirms that the Household Tax is to pay the bailout and is simply another austerity measure on ordinary people. We call on home-owners to join the non-payment/non-registration movement.

Hundreds  of meetings will be held nationwide in January and residents should turn out to hear how a grassroots community campaign can defeat this tax. We believe that a million people refusing to register by March would be a huge blow to implementing this tax."

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