Government Warned Not To Reinstate Water Charges

by Joe Higgins TD, Socialist Party

"The Minister for Finance's 'Three Wise Men' aren't so wise after all. They want the reintroduction of water charges", Joe Higgins T.D. told the Taoiseach during the order of Business in the Dáil this morning. He referred also to the Tanáiste's unhappy experience in the 1997 General Election campaign when she called for water charges, which had been abolished in 1996, to be "revisited".

In a press statement later, Joe Higgins said: "Despite the Taoiseach telling me in the Dáil that the Government had no plans to bring back the water tax, we will keep a close eye on the situation, in view of the many policy U-turns since the General Election.

A massive campaign of people power forced the abolition of the hated water tax in 1996. Any attempt to re-impose them would result in a similar revolt.

The Government's real cutbacks in the local government funds means that refuse taxes are being raised around the country by County and City Councils.

What the Government would love is to have a parallel regime of local taxation under the guise of water, refuse and other charges levied by the local authorities. If we hadn't fought and defeated the water tax, every household could easily be facing charges of up to €800 per annum in 2003.

In the meantime, the Campaign Against the Bin Tax continues a very strong boycott. The resolve of householders will be further strengthened after this Budget.

For further information, contact Joe Higgins T.D. at (01) 6183038
Email: joe.higgins@oireachtas.irlgov.ie