Household Tax and Water Charges; You ain’t seen nothing yet - Kelly

The household tax and water charges will be dwarfed by what’s coming down the line if the EU Fiscal Compact Treaty is passed, according to Wexford Sinn Féin Cllr Anthony Kelly. Cllr Kelly made his dire prediction as Wexford Sinn Féin announced details for an Austerity Treaty Road-show, which Cllr Kelly claims is intended to inform communities across the County of the dangers posed by this new treaty. “In recent weeks we have seen thousands march against the household tax and other austerity measures in Dublin and Galway,” Cllr Kelly said. “We’ve also learned that over 700,000 Irish people are living in poverty today. Many feel that we have hit the bottom as a people. Incredible as it may sound, if the EU Fiscal Compact Treaty is passed, I feel strongly that all the austerity we face now will be dwarfed by what lays ahead.” “Sinn Féin has campaigned for the abolishment of the household tax. We have rejected water charges and the septic tank tax. Instead we have called for the immediate introduction of a wealth tax which could generate €800 million a year by making those who can afford to pay more do so. Hitting the same people with brainless austerity measures again and again is like trying to draw blood from a stone. Austerity has failed.” “The EU Fiscal Compact Treaty, or the Austerity Treaty as it should be known, seeks to permanently institutionalise austerity in this state. It sets out to make the cuts and taxes that have caused such misery and stagnation legally binding and an integral part of our constitution. It sets out to tie the hands of future governments and future generations of Irish men and women, leaving them to live their whole lives under the dark clouds of permanent austerity. It fair to say if this treaty gets through, we ain’t seen nothing yet.” “In recent weeks I have been stunned to find that many people know very little about this treaty. To combat this Wexford Sinn Féin is launching the Austerity Treaty Road-show, which will visit the towns and villages of County Wexford in the coming weeks to inform the public of the dangers posed by this treaty. If people oppose government cut backs and unjust taxation then I would ask them to contact us now and help the campaign for a no vote to the permanent austerity treaty in County Wexford.”