NO BIN TAX

dublin | bin tax / household tax / water tax | press release Sunday September 14, 2003 14:31 by no bin tax - sp

leaflet

Tomorrow the campaign moves into the areas of most support and the Gardai may act on threats of arrest.

Fingal Anti-Bin Tax Campaign Leaflet
Stand firm against non-collection
WE CAN DEFEAT THE BIN TAX
Don't Be Bullied - Don't Pay!
BERTIE AHERN has attacked the communities who are fighting against the bin tax. What he said this week confirmed everything our Campaign has being saying - that if the bin tax is imposed, water charges will follow.

This is not about 3 euro or 5 euro a week. Their agenda is about smashing the opposition in order to get a charge established and then increase it every year. Other charges will be imposed and soon you will be paying up to a thousand euro a year in local taxation! Like elsewhere, they are preparing the ground for privatisation.

And look at what the government and Council are willing to do to impose double taxation and privatisation. They are causing a potential health risk by refusing to collect bins and then when people protest we are being intimidated and threatened with arrest and imprisonment.

Santry residents show way to victory

They are making a big mistake - people will not be cowed. Their High Court injunction will not stop the movement against the bin tax. The determination of the residents in Royal Oak in Santry is an inspiration. They have blockaded a bin truck since last Thursday and are determined that it will not be released until the council gives the commitment to collect all bins.

So far, the action of the Campaign and residents has been very successful. As we are in dispute with the way the Council is implementing the bin service that we have paid for through the central taxation system, we have no choice but to disrupt the service until a commitment is given to collect all bins.

Residents may be wondering if we can defeat the council, the government and the unjust laws that are being used against us. The answer is yes and that belief is based on our own experience. We faced all of these obstacles during the battle against the water charges but we still forced the abolition of that tax in 1996.

People power can beat bin tax!

The battle against the bin tax is at a crucial stage. We are fighting a government, some local Councillors and a Council management that are dishonest and have little credibility. They have very little base of support. We represent the vast majority of PAYE workers who are opposed to this tax. We are appealing to all residents to get active over the next days and weeks. A huge amount is at stake. If we get mobilised, with united and determined action we will win!

Don't believe government lies - The truth about the bin tax

This is not about 3 euro or 5 euro. Bin charges start off at a certain level but then increase massively. In Sligo they are now 10 euro a week or 520 euro a year; Leitrim and Longford - 400 euro a year; Limerick - 350 euro a year; Waterford 7.50 euro a week or 390 euro a year; Wexford - 350 euro and Westmeath 416 euro a year respectively.

Households produce only 2% of all waste in this country. The bulk is produced by big agriculture and big business. Instead of penalising the real polluters, in the last two years they reduced Corporation Tax to the ridiculous level of 12.5%. Tax cuts to big business over the last two budgets have amounted to 1.5 billion euro. That money could have been used to abolish all local taxation nationally and for investment in other essential services. Regardless of the so-called tax reform of the last years, PAYE workers still pay over 80% of all tax in this country.

The Fingal Anti Bin Tax Campaign follows on from the anti water charges movement of 1994 - 97. It is important to remember that all residents benefitted from the battle that was waged by that campaign. It has saved each household in Fingal thousands of euros over the last years, because it forced the abolition of that tax. Like now that tax had been imposed in most areas of the country but the battle in Dublin proved decisive. It's the same today.

Tell the Politicians: "Scrap Non-Collection"


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What You Must do to Help Defeat the Bin Tax

1) Some residents who are opposed to the tax didn't present the bin for collection. It is very important that you leave out your bin as normal. If you are opposed to the bin tax and have not purchased tags don't do so now under threat from the council. In order to show your opposition to the bin tax it is essential to present your bin untagged.

2) When the bin truck arrives in your estate, come out and ask for your bin to be emptied. The bin workers must be treated with the upmost courtesy. Fingal Management have put them in a very difficult position.

3) If there is a protest taking place in your estate or in a neighbouring estate it is very important that you join in.

4) To help the Fingal Campaign, contact Dublin West 8116174 - Dublin North 8408059.

5) If you are not from the Fingal area but want to get active in your local campaign, contact the All-Dublin Campaign on 087 283 7989

Put the Council and the politicians and parties that brought in the bin tax under pressure. Demand that non-collection be scrapped. Remind the politicians that the local elections will be held in ten months time. Ring your local councillors but also ring the party headquaters:

Fianna Fail - Tel (01) 6761551
Email: info@fiannafail.ie

Progressive Democrats - Tel (01) 6794399
Email: info@progressivedemocrats.ie

Fingal County Council - Tel 8905000


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Protest at the High Court Case
Fingal County Council vs Anti Bin Tax Residents

Show your solidarity and help fight these injunctions, join the protest

WED 17 SEPTEMBER, 10am outside the Four Courts