FINIAN McGRATH, TD,
Madam, - I write to express my dismay and anger with the total misrepresentation of the bin charges issue in Dublin City Council.
This debate is about double taxation and bad management of our public finances over seven years. Ordinary people have already paid for refuse collection through PAYE and indirect taxes such as VAT.
The recent Revenue Commission report showed that almost one-fifth of the 400 top earners paid less than 15 per cent tax. Single workers are taxed at 44 per cent. Published tax settlements brought in €25.32 million and unpublished settlements were €123.63 million. This settlement on its own would finance state-of-the-art waste management services in Dublin, Cork and Galway.
We have a long way to go yet to attain equity in our taxation systems. One big business alone paid up almost €7 million in a tax settlement.
I wish the Taoiseach, the Minister and the management in the City Council would get off the stage with their complete and deliberate misrepresentation of the facts. They managed to bring in €156 per year charge. Now they want an increase of 29 per cent. They have the brass neck then to ask workers to accept 5 per cent in the pay talks.
Perhaps it is time for the taxpayers and consumers in this country to take to the streets. The law-abiding taxpayer is now being asked to pay for the fat cats in our society. Its time to say no to double taxation and yes to tax equity. - Yours, etc.,
FINIAN McGRATH, TD, (Independent), Dáil Éireann, Dublin 2.