Household charge a disastrous mistake

The Government hopes to collect €160 million from the new household tax.

They could achieve the same result with less pain if they simply raised the income tax rate by less than 1%.

Instead, they want to create an unnecessary new collection system.

Unfortunately, they painted themselves into a dark corner in the last budget.

They boasted there would be no increase in the tax rate.

They should dismount from their warhorse. They should admit they made a disastrous mistake.

It is inefficient, ineffective and uneconomic. It is a bumbling, bureaucratic nightmare.

Worse still, it divides society.

Half of all householders paid up by the due date.

Scrap the tax on people’s homes and give those who paid a tax credit (plus interest) in the next budget.

Threatening decent people with dire punishments broke all the rules of good public relations.

Plans are afoot to compare various computer databases to identify people who have not yet paid.

That will generate a colossal paper chase. Economics lacks common sense.

Governments lack humility. Computers lack compassion.

Computerised government of the economy would be the end of democracy.

Michael Mernagh

Raheens

Carrigaline

Co Cork