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Arklow CAHWT Preparing for the Next Round

02/07/12

With the Austerity Treaty safely out of the way, the Dublin government has now renewed its efforts to impose home, water and septic tank taxes on millions of families across the state.

And it’s Environment Minister Phil Hogan who has been selected to lead the attack. Like any good extortionist, Hogan is using a mixture of the ‘carrot’ and the ‘stick’ to intimidate his would be victims.

Last week it was the turn of the ‘carrot’ with Hogan offering a discounted rate of five euro to those who register their septic tanks by the end of September. Those who register after that date and before the deadline of January 2013 will have to pay the standard rate of fifty euro. And today (July 2) it was the turn of the ‘stick’ with the first ‘threatening letters’ arriving at the homes of thousands of families who the state believe to be boycotting the home tax.

Commenting on these recent developments in relation to the proposed septic tank tax éirígí’s Wicklow spokesperson Adrian Ó Raghallaigh, who is also active in the Campaign Against Household and Water Taxes, stated:

“We are calling on people to get active in their areas and to come on board to help defeat these IMF/EU driven attacks on the Irish people. Over the last week we have seen the Dublin government step up the pressure in relation to their proposed septic tank tax. Inspections of tanks are scheduled to begin next year and any remedial works arising will have to be paid for by the owners of the tanks. In some cases this may amount to many thousands of euro, which most families are going to be unable to pay.

“The campaign believes that septic tanks and waste water disposal should be brought into line with EPA standards, but that it is unfair to expect individual families to foot the bill for same. The situation that exists today has come about as a result of decades of neglect and indifference from successive Dublin governments. To expect individual families to pay the price for a flawed, decades old system is both unfair and impractical. The obvious solution is for the state to provide grants to cover the costs of repairing or replacing sub-standard septic tank and waste water disposal systems. Such an investment programme would provide badly needed economic activity in rural communities as well as safeguarding the environment for this and future generations.”

Commenting on the issue of the government’s proposed water tax Adrian said, “In a few months’ time we will see the installation of thousands of water meters at a cost to the state of several hundred million euro. Instead of investing this money in the leaking water pipe network the Dublin government is ploughing ahead with water metering so it can wrangle more money out of already hard pressed people. So it’s very important that we continue building the resistance to all of these unjust taxes now, before it’s too late.”

Adrian further stated, “Residents in many estates across Wicklow have contacted the campaign about the new domestic water manholes which are currently being installed. The local authority is installing these new manholes when repairing or laying new footpaths. When residents have asked to be given keys to the new manhole covers they have not been given them. This means that if there is a leak between a house and the water feeder line below the footpath then the householder cannot shut off the water to their home. The campaign has contacted the local authority on this and hopefully this major concern can be resolved soon.”

To conclude Adrian stated, “The Arklow CAHWT will be holding action committee meetings over the coming weeks. I would encourage as many residents as possible to come along to these meetings. If we work together we can defeat the home, water and septic tank taxes. I would also encourage all to attend the national demonstration that is been planned for Dublin on Wednesday July 18th, assembling at 5pm at the Central Bank on Dame Street before marching on Leinster House.”