Sir, - Once again, wealthy tax dodgers have availed themselves of a tax amnesty - the third. People with bogus non-resident accounts were allowed to return money to the State, without any threat of prosecution. Tax due on these monies was denied to the people of this country. This has resulted in underfunded social services, long hospital waiting-lists, increased homelessness and a dramatic rise in the number of people living in poverty.
Contrast the treatment given to these gangsters with that meted out to people in the PAYE sector, who refuse to pay twice for local services. In the past six months Cork Corporation has jailed seven anti-service charges activists. Seven more have been dragged before the courts. In 1991 four more people were jailed by Cork Corporation on the same issue.
It is important at this stage to reflect on the origins of the campaign against service charges. In 1977 Fianna Fβil was returned to power with the biggest majority in the history of the State. It immediately abolished rates on domestic dwellings. The money raised by these rates funded local services. The funding of all local authorities was now to be carried out by national Government.
To cover the cost, PAYE was raised and both the rate of VAT and the range of goods liable for VAT were also increased. In return, all local authorities were to be given full support grants.
After two years the Government began to cut the rate support grant. Local authorities had to cut services. As the situation reached crisis point, the Government, rather than living up to its word, instead gave local councils the authority to levy local charges for the services they are obliged to provide. People were now being asked to pay a second time for these.
Campaigns of opposition sprang up around the country. The full might of the State was used against these groups. Water was disconnected, threatening letters were sent, third-level education grants were withheld, people were dragged before the courts, household goods were seized by local sheriffs and finally activists were imprisoned.
Service charges are as immoral today as they were, when first introduced in 1983. They still constitute a double tax. It is still legitimate to oppose them. Governments which included Fianna Fail, Fine Gael, Labour, Progressive Democrats and Democratic Left have all stood over the imposition of service charges.
The class nature of the 26-county State has been exposed by the manner in which wealthy tax dodgers are given amnesties and ordinary people are jailed for refusing to pay a second time for local services. - Is mise,
Joe Moore, PRO, Householders Against Service Charges, Ravensdale Avenue, Mahon, Cork.