Sir, – It is not too late to convert the household charge into a window tax. Using a three-bed semi with eight windows as the benchmark, the rate would be €12.50 per window. This would be more equitable than the proposed flat charge, easy to assess and check and very transparent. – Yours, etc,
Sir, – While not enamoured with the idea of paying any further charges or taxes, I find it hard to understand those who oppose a flat rate tax as unfair. After all, the TV licence is charged at a flat rate and is totally unrelated to income or financial capacity of the individual.
Furthermore, I hope Minister for Local Government Phil Hogan, when he replaces this interim measure with a structured property tax, will do two things: retain a basic household charge on all properties, and ensure that all such taxes become charges on the property to ensure that they will, ultimately, be collected. – Yours, etc,
MEL O’REILLY,
Osberstown,
Naas, Co Kildare.
Sir, – Mr Hogan defended the charges as “essential” in ensuring the continuation of such local services as street maintenance, waste services, libraries, park maintenance and leisure facilities.
I pay circa €340 per year for refuse collection to a private company.
Am I to assume that when household charges come into force to fund “local council services” that the refuse will be collected by the council, so that in a few years when full property tax comes in, refuse collection will be a “local council service”? Or will I be paying a property tax, a water tax, motor tax (for road maintenance) and then paying a private company to take care of my refuse? – Yours, etc,
Sir, – Amid appeals for perspective on the household charge, if 5,000 of your closest neighbours all paid their €100, it would raise enough revenue to pay the salary of one banker for one year, without bonuses. Put that in perspective. – Yours, etc,