WCA Press Release on Bin Charges/City Council

national | miscellaneous | news report Friday January 17, 2003 15:21 by WCA - Workign Class Action workingclassaction at eircom dot net 087- 9620940

Labour Party dumps democracy and working class opposition to Bin Tax

Press Release on Bin Charges and Dublin City Council vote

16th January 2003

Tonight's decision by Dublin City Council to agree the budget estimates and impose an increased Bin Charge has been condemned by Working Class Action.

Cieran Perry, an activist with the WCA group said:
'We now see that local government in Ireland exists only with the permission of central government. Any opposition will lead to the abolition of the Council involved.

The shabby deal cobbled together by Labour, Fine Gael and Fianna Fail to impose this double tax on the people of Dublin is only to be expected. The only interest provided by this circus was which councillors would defy the alleged party whip of Labour and Fine Gael.

Not surprisingly, Labour's Lord Mayor Dermot Lacey cast the deciding vote in favour of this increase in taxation, ably assisted by the non-appearance of Labour councillor Mary Freehill, yet again, on this issue.'

Perry continued:
"Labour, with the connivance of Fine Gael, have voted to retain their sinecures, junkets and cushy committee positions at the expense of principles and local democracy.

They have shown total contempt for their constituents, especially those in working class areas who have most strongly opposed the Bin Charges. Ordinary workers already pay their fair share of tax to provide for essential services. While industrial and agricultural waste accounts for over 95% of our environmental problems Labour is happy that householders, creating just 1.5% of the waste, should be penalised.

Labour is also happy to approve a rise of 30% in waste charges, which is clearly a sop to encourage those seeking to buy up a profitable business when waste collection is privatised."

Working Class Action members have been active in opposing the Bin Charges in their communities. We will continue to oppose the Bin Charges and call on voters not to pay this illegal and unjust double tax. Remember, over 50% of people have not paid their Bin Tax.

[ENDS]