Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)

I commend Teachta Brian Stanley on bringing forward this repeal Bill. We all know - the Government even admits it itself - the household charge has been a disaster for all those citizens burdened with paying it and for this Government which has stubbornly insisted on imposing it. It should be scrapped. Everybody makes mistakes and the Government should simply scrap this charge and introduce fairer and more equitable measures to raise the finance needed to fund local government.

Thus far, the household charge has fallen far short of the €100 million it was expected to raise. At the same time, almost 50% of households are still refusing to pay. Many are refusing to pay because they cannot afford to do so. The charge is so obviously unjust that many ordinary citizens who would never think of breaking the law have decided to take a stand and refuse to pay. It is also acknowledged that many of those who have paid have done so under duress and the fear of legal sanction.

This household charge is flawed and it is a failed tax. It punishes citizens for the failure of Government and the greed of bankers, developers and corrupt politicians. It targets the disadvantaged and those on low and middle incomes who are struggling to make ends meet. I have seen this throughout the State - I attended many of the meetings some of my colleagues spoke about - and in my constituency of County Louth and east Meath. Working people are carrying the burden for the debt of corrupt politicians, speculative financiers and bankers.

What is the Government to do? Will it take everyone to court? Will it deduct payment at source causing more poverty? Will it run scare campaigns to frighten citizens into paying? All of this is costly and divisive and is evidence of the failure of the austerity strategy and what has been happening for the past 12 months.

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