Brief Report of a Household Charges Meeting

Wbs had some thoughts on this previously
I spent a part of my evening at my Local Anti Household Tax meeting. Its a brief report, so not all subjects covered are mentioned.
The meeting was at The Yellow House Pub in Rathfarnham, not exactly a venue familiar with protest meetings. Indeed former Socialist Party Councillor and meeting organiser Mick Murphy said the pub had rung him saying they hadn’t realised that he’d be putting up posters!. Just to add that, for me anyhow, one of the strengths of the campaign is that there are meetings being held in places that wouldn’t ordinarily host meetings like this. I’ve seen meetings advertised locally in GAA Clubs and other pubs. Certainly in my own area the campaign has had meetings in places easily accessible and familiar to the community.
I was also there as someone who doesn’t want to register but has a partner who wants to pay as she fears the consequence of not paying.
The meeting was attended by at least 30 people, which may not sound many but given the tactic by the campaign in my area of a number of local meetings in different venues, rather than larger meetings in larger venues, it was a decent crowd. Those attending were far from the usual crowd you’d see at protest meetings.
The chair was Nicola Curry the People Before Profit /United Left Alliance candidate in the last election and the main speaker was the relatively local (Ballinteer) MEP for Dublin Paul Murphy. Nicola Curry made a small speech on the campaign, mentioning that just 5% had paid the tax so far. Then Paul Murphy spoke and was very impressive (not just saying that as he said he reads the CLR when I was scabbing leaflets from him after the meeting!). We had no choice with the bank bailout, we had no choice with the Universal Social Charge and so on. They were all imposed on us. This campaign is an opportunity to say No to austerity, no to the way the country is being run.
As we know this is only a start and when the property tax comes in any house valued between 300,000 and 450,000 will more than likely have a charge of around €1000. Many of those attending the meeting have that staring them in the face.
The message was give us until St Patricks Day and see where we are numbers wise then.
The meeting was opened to the floor and the questions were varied, from asking if the campaign had any intention of aligning themselves with landlords, many of which are struggling to pay the charge.
Of major interest was possible sanctions for non payment. If by the end of the year you haven’t paid , with fines, the household charge will have increased to €142. If there is mass non payment the government could hardly be seen to bring someone to court for non payment when those that got us in the mess such as the politicians and bankers have yet to be in court never mind jailed.
Another question was a possible charge on your house should you go to sell it. The answer wasn’t clear as I don’t think this has been covered yet by the law.
The campaign are building up a legal fund in the event of the above and other scenarios. They also have a team of people looking for legal loopholes in the legislation.
Whilst Ireland and Malta may be the only European Countries without a property tax, in most European countries people don’t own their homes, public services etc are better.
Mick Murphy also addressed the meeting and spoke humourously and well.
In the end votes were taken in support of a National Day of Action (or as one attendee insisted a 26 county day of action), a National meeting in the likes of the Mansion House and also a big National march in Dublin.
Phil Hogans leaflets on the tax will be out in the next few weeks and the campaign hope to counter this with a new leaflet to be delivered nationwide.
A good few people paid their fiver and joined the campaign and took bunches of leaflets home to deliver to neighbours. My young lad will be out delivering some, although he doesn’t know it yet!
A very worthwhile evening and I would recommend you go to your local meeting and get involved any way you can. It’s a winnable battle.