Left-wing TDs demand tax revolt

A MASS revolt against looming property and water taxes was demanded by left-wing TDs last night.

Despite the risk of non-payers ending up in jail, the deputies insisted that if up to one million people refused to register for the charges, the Government would be powerless to move against them.

The €100 household levy, which is expected to be replaced in 2013 by a charge that is estimated could range up to €1,000 a year on average, was branded an “austerity tax” by People Before Profit TD Richard Boyd Barrett, who invoked the spirit of Mahatma Gandhi to support breaking the law.

“It is entirely justified to disobey an unjust law. That is what Gandhi did, and what Martin Luther King did. This tax is an attack on low-income households,” he said.

The TDs urged people not to register for the household charge which is due to come at the beginning of April.

Speaking at a launch for the Campaign Against Household And Water Taxes, left-wing deputies like Mick Wallace and Joe Higgins urged mass civil disobedience to thwart the imposition of the levies.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny moved to ease concern over the new tax by claiming that it would be “fair and affordable”.

Environment Minister Phil Hogan has made it clear that under the Fines Act 2010, anyone refusing to pay the charge could have their court fines deducted from income — including social welfare payments.

Anti-property tax TDs conceded people could end up in jail due to a boycott.