CAMPAIGNERS against the payment of water charge arrears in Dublin have warned that the pursuit of householders through the courts could cost political parties dear in the general election.
An election "convention" of the 1,300 householders served with court summonses and their supporters is to be held at the National Concert Hall on March 8th, the Federation of Dublin Anti Water Charges Campaigns announced yesterday.
Candidates endorsed by the Federation would stand in six Dublin constituencies unless court proceedings against householders for non payment of water charges were withdrawn. Other candidates representing the Taxation Justice Alliance would stand in Cork, Galway, Tipperary South and other areas.
About 50,000 households in Dublin have refused to pay arrears for water charges and are liable for prosecution. Water charges in the greater Dublin area were abolished by the Government last December 19th.
Cllr Joe Higgins, who caused a political upset in the Dublin West by election, said that figure represented "a powerful political block".
"What the Dublin West by election showed was that when a powerful lobby of taxpayers who feel they have a case are mobilised, the main parties have to be very worried," he said.
"This is not an idle threat to say that Dublin householders will utilise their vote for taxation justice. If our people are being dragged through the courts then there is no way the politicians will avoid this being a big election issue."
All political parties have been invited to send representatives to the convention at the National Concert Hall.