Abuse of ‘rule of law’ is a form of tyranny

Frances Fitzgerald got one thing right this week: she said not being a lawyer helped as Minister for Justice.

She said it gave her a fresh perspective. Unfortunately, that is where the freshness ends, as she suffers from the same confusion that troubles many in the Law Society.

When responding to Joe Higgins, who asked about Gardaí being present when water meters are being installed in homes, she said Irish Water workers’ rights must be protected. She said the right of a person to go about their lawful business and make a living free from interference must be protected, and that the Gardaí needed to uphold the rule of law and ensure the safety of the public.

The rule of law is not the statute law that set up Irish Water. The rule of law is inviolable and is perfectly simple. If you never violate another human nor their property, then you are in balance with the rule of law and cannot be held to account by any person, organisation, institution or State. The term ‘rule of law’ has been usurped and abused. Statute law violates people from dawn to dusk; for example, there is no need for water taxation when one understands that the debts it is to pay are odious and unlawful, and in violation of the rule of law. Has she taken account of Josephine Feehily’s comments that all taxation in Ireland is by consent? Therefore, all the threats from the State to comply are simply coercion to get one’s consent.

The people who obstruct a water meter installation are not giving their consent. Therefore, there can be no taxation. Sending Gardaí to make sure it happens is tyranny and oppression and obliterates the rule of law.

Barry Fitzgerald

Lissarda

Cork