Survey 'proves' water and property taxes 'not feasible'

Anti-Household Charge campaigners have said that today's Irish League of Credit Unions’ survey findings 'prove that it is not feasible' for the Government to impose water and property taxes.

The survey today found that more than 1.8 million people have only €25 per week left after paying their bills.

Gregor Kerr, spokesperson for campaign Against Household and Water Taxes (CAHWT), said: "This proves that it is not feasible for the Government to believe that it can impose water and property taxes on people who are already completely strapped for cash.

The Irish League of Credit Unions' 'What’s Left?' survey showed that 602,000 people have nothing left when they pay their bills and that half of households struggle to pay their bills on time.

It also shows that 40% of households have had to borrow to pay their bills over the last 12 months.

Mr Kerr said: "In this context, how does the government possibly believe that it can impose property and water taxes which will amount to over €1,000 per household?"

"These figures must be looked at in the context of figures released last week which showed that the top 10,000 Irish earners who have average incomes of €595,000 per year pay an effective tax rate of just 29%."

The campaign Against Household and Water Taxes is holding a march against austerity on Wednesday, July 18.