Sir, – In most matters of tribulation a point is inevitably reached when one ends up saying that enough really is enough. The latest announcement by Revenue in relation to the payment of the controversial property tax reached this point for me personally and it showed clearly that this Government’s brass neck has neither dulled nor softened.
Revenue’s statement that those opting to pay this tax, in respect of year 2014, by either cheque or debit card can expect to have the monies deducted instantly after a November 27th deadline of its designation left even a hardened cynic like me aghast. Not alone has it committed daylight robbery upon the property-owning populace – whom will receive absolutely nothing in return for this cash grab – but it has the gall to demand the money be given to it ahead of the year concerned.
But please remember, none of this is its fault. It’s those nasty banks yet again. Because Revenue’s website has the temerity to blame the fact that monies will be instantly deducted, over five weeks ahead of the year of the tax itself, on account of “the nature of the banking and credit card systems”! Obviously the simple expedient of allotting a deadline in January or February of 2014 escaped the Revenue.
Never mind that this course of action will be monumentally unpopular and massively unfair (it has long since abandoned any considerations with regard to these matters) but has it even half considered the gross economic stupidity of sucking millions of euro out of a half-dead economy at precisely the time of year when the hard-pressed citizen might be prepared to part with at least some of their dwindling cash? – Yours, etc,
JD MANGAN,
Stillorgan Road,
Stillorgan, Co Dublin.