Our right to challenge the household charge

DO we live in a democracy?

The imposition of the €100 household charge has been greeted with outrage. But the story doesn’t end there.

The Government will bring in legislation which will enable it to deduct the charge from people who refuse to pay, or those who are unable, via their social welfare or pay packet. I am on social welfare and unable to pay. I was looking forward to putting my case to the judiciary, as is my right. But now this government is to take that right from me, and everyone else. If we do live in a democracy we have the right to free speech, the right to march, the right to be heard, whether we are believed or not. This is what the men of 1916 died for. If people cannot pay fines or levies they have a right to go before a judge and state their case. I am surprised none of our well-paid TDs have not expressed an opinion on this. On a lighter note, I believe Michael D is a good and decent man for the Áras. If Gay Mitchell hadn’t conjoined himself to Martin McGuinness in the Presidential campaign, he might have faired better in the polls. His campaign was about as exciting as someone trying to sell life insurance on death row.