Property tax debacle linked to bailout

MINISTER Phil Hogan claims that the €100 property tax is to fund local councils.

It will pay for lighting, roads, water, refuse collection and other local council services, he claimed.

Hang on a minute. In Cork at least, refuse is no longer collected by any council — it has all been privatised. As for roads, I thought this was the purpose of having motor tax. And water? I clearly remember the minister saying there will be water charges to pay for the water we use, and I have little doubt this service too will be privatised once we ourselves have paid to have it installed through charges and taxes.