Although Ireland has a monthly export surplus, the Government suffers from a budget deficit to the tune of €1.3BN per month. Ireland (in terms of the Public Services Costs) is living beyond its means each and every month by €288 for every man, woman and child in the country (based on a population of 4.5M) - or €1000+ for the average family of 2+2. As Ireland is currently ‘out of the Bond Markets’; and could not currently re-enter due to current approximated rates (8%-10%); the only source of this ‘monthly loan’ is the IMF-EU bailout fund.
A contractual element of the current Bailout Agreement is the introduction of a Household Charge, a fact known to Irish Politicians (and the public) since the ‘introduction’ of the Bailout Fund some three years ago.
On the eve of introduction, however, some left-wing and Independent TDs; led by Joe Higgins; have launched a ‘highly populist’ civil disobedience campaign. When one considers the contractual obligation on the Irish Government, Higgins decision to form an opposition group; to what is a ‘modest charge’ when compared to other European countries; is perplexing and entirely the wrong fight to take up at present. Ireland is currently the only EU state, apart from Malta, without a property tax and an inital annual charge of €100 could be described as modest.
Joe Higgins could alternatively remove his Socialist Parties blanket support for all economic migrants (and bogus asylum seekers) and Visa Over-stayers; many of who are simply Benefit Tourists/Scammers taking advantage of a generous welfare system with lax processes. The cost of both national and foreign national benefit fraud is costing € Billions each year - and directly costing each Irish family many hundreds (if not thousands) of euros. The cost of the initial Household Charge is actually a minor burden on Irish families when compared to the cost of benefit fraud. http://www.sundayworld.com/columnists/index.php
Civil disobedience can only be advocated in limited circumstances and then on the basis that it brings a high probability of positive change. A ‘positive change’ is not possible in this case and with a non-payment penalty of €2500, Joe Higgins & Co will likely bring severe frustration and unnecessary hardship on those who take his advice (more likely to be the poorer in our society).
There are a number of ongoing attempts to scupper the Household and other charges. In addition to the campaign commenced by some Socialist TDs, the Irish Property Owners Association has advised landlords to pass on charges to their tenants, although this is specifically banned by legislation.
In rural areas, resistance to a septic tank inspection charge (again an EU requirement) is being encouraged by prominent Fianna Fáil TDs, even though they endorsed the policy while in government. Such contempt for basic civic responsibility is unforgivable, particularly at a time of financial crisis.
Revenue from the household charge will go towards supplementing local authority costs and reducing the burden on Central Government. The charge is sufficiently low (€100) to not be overly ‘unfair’ in terms of smaller and larger homes, however a valuation based system will be introduced in two years with the likelihood that the initial €100 annual charge is maintained for the lowest value band only.
Those most impacted by the initial and subsequent valuation based system will be those already paying substantial monthly maintenance charges on private developments. However further legislation is required to ensure residents of such developments are protected from the ongoing interfering of the initial development companies in dictating which company must provide maintenance services on their development.
Picasso
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