When did he start paying their salaries?
I would have thought he has enough on his plate without taking that sort of payroll admin on.

Phil Hogan (April 2012): ‘Would you pay a charge if you were unhappy with service?”. No Phil, I wouldn’t.

It wasn’t a tax.

No Reg, it’s a principle, to which that man has none.

Keith
I believe there is a massive difference between a Service Charge in respect of private communal property and a tax imposed by a National Parliament .

Keith
Let’s suggest that Mr Hogan is completely wrong both morally and legally in respect of this issue and I know nothing of the matter. This my bucko doesn’t absolve you from you lawfully imposed tax liabilities.
Why should those of us who have complied with our societal obligations have to carry users and evaders like you?

It’s funny Mick. I’m new to this site, and I enjoyed reading a lot of your comments. Usually sensible.
From now on I’ll see you as the coward you are. You can give whatever BS reason you want about why you paid up, but we all know big phil bullied you into paying it. Weak.

I pay plenty of taxes Mick, I have never claimed anything in the form of benefits or otherwise, people ask why we are not protesting on the streets and kicking up a fuss, I think plenty of us did that by not paying this new charge, there is no accountability of any of the money we pay, and due to this I can only assume that’s it going to pay unsecured bond holders and the like, I’m disappointed that more people didn’t have the moral courage to refuse to pay this unjust tax, but can understand why many people were pushed to do so. I’m sick of everyone’s argument calling people that don’t pay spongers. Maybe their backbone is just a little stronger than yours.

Agreed Keith,excellent comments! Very reason im not paying! Mick please dont use term bucko again.

Well said Sir.
It’s being portrayed that a person who can’t or won’t (in protest) pay the charge now suddenly pays no tax at all….

Hi Diarmuid, I too paid stamp duty in 2005 live in a similar kind of setup ish as in no public services actually not even on a public road long story.

But I paid the household charge because I was obliged to.

This is my basic understanding of the grant, I’m open to correction.

As a student it’s understood that you are kinda still been “kept” by your parents ie they pay for your education.
When their income is below a certain threshold its decided that it would unreasonable that because of their income the student be denied 3rd level education (I 100% agree)

So for the less fortunate families a grant system was set up to help them out.

But the parents were to be tax compliant before the student received the grant.
Ergo Clare coco had written out to people applying to ascertain that the grant wasn’t going to families who hadn’t fulfilled their obligations in regard to the household charge.

Since its taxpayers money I agree that it should not be paid to families who haven’t paid the charge, not out of meanness but out of fairness to people whom paid the charge.
It’s all fine to argue against this line of thought but why is it fair to hand people money who don’t care about paying what they owe.
I for one found the €100 very hard to do without but I had to pay it.

You have no idea how good you have it in Ireland. No Idea.
In the US the smallest miserable house in the ghettos start closer to $1,000 and the average home is in excess of $5,000 annually.
Or you can look at the larger underdeveloped world and count your blessings.
€100 !!! AND your children get free money AND a free 3rd level education.
Moan,moan, moan.

Paul with the greatest of respect, it appears you do not have a mind of your own. Many societies have been led down horrendous paths due to their “obligations” as citizens of a state, I’m sure I do not need to name the ones of more recent history. A state cannot legitimately enforce moral principals. If you think it’s moral to charge two pensioners money for no return or service less than 7 years after they mortgaged €38,000 to cover this lack of services, I do pray you are in the minority in this nation of ours, otherwise we most certainly are screwed!

I see the college registration fee escaped your notice then.Also you might want to research “free education” in Ireland.
I have a brother living in the US.LA to be excact he pays his property tax,but he gets local accountibiliaty.We won’t.

Yes Andy and that’s our problem isn’t it, not that America is the most unequal, corrupt, backward, violence breeding hole of a country in the western world. No it’s our fault, that we expect an equal society where value for tax money is something we aspire to receive!

See Diarmuid if all you say in reply is that “I don’t have a mind of my own” you ultimately have no reasonable argument. See tax by definition is unfair that’s my point ultimately, honestly if your circumstances qualify you for the grant I think you deserve it, I honestly do mate. But life’s not all one way traffic.

Who said anything about one way traffic? I’m 28, paid tax with the past 11 years. My parents paid tax their whole lives. All my family are workers and grafters and have never asked the state for a thing. My parents nor I have a problem with a household tax per say, we have a problem with this one where ppl who have no services and provide everything for themselves at a massive cost are subsidising those who have all the services and somehow now are patting themselves on the back cause theyve paid €100. Denying education in instances like ours is unjust and immoral when fellas like our minister for health doesn’t get denied his pay or benefits even though he’s disobeying a direct order from the highest court in the land!

Oh and by the way Paul I am not applying for a grant from Clare CoCo, merely using my situation as an example, to illustrate that those who aren’t or can’t pay are not some freeloading tax cheats, merely moralistic and decent individuals or families who happen to be fed up of being taken for a ride!

Aaaaaaaaaah Diarmuid Diarmuid Diarmuid.
Your parents are well heeled tax evaders rather than down at the heel evaders. You want everyone else to pick up the tab for your college education but the Ma And The Da pour money into a res in the country and then decide not to pay their lawfully imposed taxes.
Why should I pay for your education Diarmuid.
Get a loan.
Pay it back over the years like any other student.

Andy, household taxes in the US are very democratic and the system is very accountable. That does not exist in Ireland. You cannot make this comparison. Also, as you know effective income tax rates in the US are very low compared to Ireland.

Diarmaid, you need to take a chill pill. Your tirade of ignorant abuse against the US is an embarrassment.

Mick you are the worst troll on this site, ironic that you speak about education but clearly cant even read! I said that I was not applying for a grant you turnip, merely using my retired parents as an example of the logic of reasoning behind people who don’t pay! If you are going to be an effective troll, at least learn to read, especially when commenting on a story on education. Numpty!

Ah sher look at Mick, logging in and out of Twitter using the same ip address to like his own comments. You sir, need help!

@D. Twomey I agree with every word of your comment. Very well worded and this Phil hogan will have to listen to people like you.

ManOnThe Street.
I live in a small Meath town and my fathers name was Collins as was his fathers. The first name is a nickname by which I have been known since National School. What more do he want to know before I go to bed tonight?

After reading the final part of your first comment directed at me, I think it’s clear to see what type of person you are.
Now off to bed with you. Even trolls need sleep.

that the way our “government” does things, but they will only get away with it until the next election.

The college grant is calculated on the income of a student’s parents so it is directly linked to them. If it wasn’t then students would be means tested on their own income, which would mean every student would get a grant. You could just as easily say it’s not fair to penalise a young person by not giving them a grant, just because their parents earn more than the cut-off point.

How is it unfair though?

The grant is calculated against the parents also, so it all very much depends on the parents and has very little to do with the student other then they are going to college,

hogan agrees with it. quinn calls it ‘reasonable’. but it strikes me differently. how steadily this kind of authority exerts itself. under the guise of always being ‘reasonable’ it erodes rights, establishes questionable connections between actions passing them off as ‘reasonable’, lables those who disagree as being ‘unreasonable’. anti social, not paying thier dues, accusing them of expecting everything to automatically be a ‘right’, of not wanting to ‘contribute’, of not wanting to pay thier way, of insisting on getting ‘everything for nothing’

and it struck me just how damaging this is. and wondering where it will all end. because there are elements of the modus operandi of regimes here that no right minded person would support

quinn and hogan today (but it si other people on other days) represent the onset of a tyranny (becaseu that is what these manoeuvres lead towards whetehr the people involved realise it or not). it all looks so ‘reasonable’ to them. and that is what is really worrying about it all. they themsleves dont appear to realise the full extent of what they are actually doing

next time the labour party talk about education as a ‘right’ remember today. the same for FG (i exclude the otehrsr becaseu they are not currently in government). the erosion of civil society is well underway and these are the peoplel who wittingly or unwittingly are in the vanguard in the fight to bring this about

Alan you have summed up the sinister side to all this argument. Yes it is going to undermine Irish Society and turn neighbour against neighbour. You have only to look at the comments to see how we are divided and how some see those taking a stand on Principal and ability to pay as some kind of users, soakers or wanting everything for nothing. Any intelligent can see the vast majority of those who refused to pay the household tax are not spongers. They are ordinary hard working people who have seen the way this road is leading. Its not about tax its about Justice. Taxing people who have no money is cruel and tyrannical and unjust.

Eoin
The funding being provided by Local Authorities to student is to remove the need for parents to provide the monies. Why then would you believe that it is anything but fair that the Council first ensures that the parents are up to date with any monies owed to them?
To me it seems patently fair and reasonable

@richard fallon.Then whats happens if the next government do the same thing & break all their promises.how long will people continue to run around in circles & fall for the trap everytime.its not a new party in government we need.its a completely new political system.i think direct democracy is the best solution.

And to think I would be arrested if I knocked Big Phil out…

Truthful Irish
So there you have it folks. As usual. Your news comes from the people that you know and can somewhat trust. Yesterday we the Facebook posters brought you the news that County Councils were using the House Hold Charge as a ransom over Student Grants. Today it slowly and quietly made the media in Ireland but under the radar as it was. Hidden behind the mess in the HSE and the announcement of the Childrens Rights Ref for November.

Lets break it down into simple terms ok: Let us say I am a meteor customer and so too is my house mate. We both recieve similar bills every month. Now for whatever reason my house mate decides to no longer pay Meteor. It is illegal for Meteor to punish me as I am strictly a third party and in no way do I have any bearing on the dispute between my house mate and Meteor. ….. All very simple right?

Today Hogan announced that he is encouraging the County Council’s of Ireland to adopt a “whatever means necessary” approach. In short, your child or you yourself the student. Is now being victimised as a result of the home owner not accepting an unjust and unfair taxation policy. This is completely illegal in ALL senses. It matters not what your opinion of those who refused to pay is and that of those who did. This is basic “Us vs them 101″. Hypocrisy at it’s most daring best. How?

Your publicly elected officials today also announced a referendum seeking to change Article 41 of the Irish Constitution. They are calling it “The Childrens Rights Ref”. They say that it is now the responsibility of the State to ensure children are “protected”. Not the parents and they seek your permission to do this. Now in Article 41 children are protected by our constitution. Both as citizens and of course, as a part of the family unit. Are you parents really so stupid and thick that you need Enda Kenny to tell you how to raise your child? I think that perhaps you are. And this is why.

Unless their income is so low, hence eligibility for the grant, that they have a waiver from the charge. Maybe controversial but is targeting the wrong people as most likely would have already registered in order to get the waiver

look it like this the household tax is only 1/3 of the price of a ticket to electric picnic or the same price as attending on of the many outdoor concerts held here this year .. seems to be plenty of money around for fun …

And the award for the most ridiculas comment goes to jerry.

jerry slattery, People have a right to spend their hard earned money on fun of they so wish to do so, who are we to dictate in a free democratic society , your comment is vintage, like something from the begrudging 80′s.

People also have a responsibility to pay their taxes.

What tax Luke? It’s a house hold charge. If it was a tax Revenue would be collecting it.

I don’t see why Jerry’s comment is so outlandish. You can be sure just by the law of averages that there were plenty of people at EP who didn’t pay the household charge. It’s slightly off topic though.

These parents can’t expect help from the government in educating their children if they don’t pay their taxes. It’s unfortunate a young person has to suffer though.

Just to point out to all those people saying “they have to pay their taxes”
The household charge was voluntary and something you registered for! Not mandatory or forced. Get your facts right

Are you joking?

Reg, the vast majority who have not paid the HHC Charge simply can’t…there are 130,000 people behind on their mortgage repayments and a lot more are on the brink

sorry comment meant for Reg!!

Damien, I don’t believe that the majority of those who haven’t paid can’t pay.
But of course I could be wrong.

Do you have any basis for that claim?

Gagsy same agruement could apply,where’s the basis than they can pay.You are aware thay 130,000 mortgages are in trouble,if they can’t pay this with the threat of losing their home,any thoughts where they can magic up the HHC or the soon to be introduced property tax?

Gagsy
people in mortgage arrears cannot pay…people that are heading for mortgage arrears will not be able to pay…
people who are struggling week to week to make ends meet probably wont be able to pay..
my claims are just like yours, opinion…your opinion is that you believe that the majority of those who havent paid can…what do you base that on

I wan’t trying to be combative on this point.
I didn’t make the claim that “the vast majority who have not paid the HHC Charge simply can’t” – which to me seems to be presented more as a fact than an opinion.

All I said was I don’t believe that the majority who haven’t paid can’t pay. But thats just my guess – I don’t know if its right or wrong because I haven’t seen there has been any stats/research on it. I was wondering if Damien based his opinion (expressed as fact) on anything concrete.
He’s now answered that, so thanks Damien.
But I still don’t agree with your opinion.

I’m basing my opinion on nothing more scientific than those I know who aren’t paying it and the flavour of comments on the journal from those who haven’t paid it. I of course acknowledge that neither may be representative (which is why its only an opinion).

In relation to the 130,000 and the others on the brink, are you (both) taking account of the exemption from the HHC for those receiveing a mortgage interest supplement?

Gagsy
Thanks for your comment and I too respect your opinion. My point was also based on my opinion and on speaking to people from my community who are at breaking point. These people are hardworking and law abiding. I never made it to third level myself but did study economics for the Leaving Cert. I believe the HHC is unfair as it breaks one of the fundemental rules of taxation that being it does’nt take in the persons ability to pay and is a tax loaded in favour of the wealthy.

Shock…horror….you want them to actually do something…….how unreasonable

http://www.galwaycoco.ie/en/Services/

Aside from motor tax, aren’t all those services listed on that site centrally funded or does Galway really provide it’s own educational service?

During the boom there was this silly attitude that people had to spend loads of money to somehow show how wonderful they were. Didn’t matter about the value. I think this is the same thing. Just plain ignorance, no understanding of principals or the fact that some people might be struggling.

Argumentum ad Hominem they learn it in Fine Gael school

Fine gael’s main tactic to stay in power is to belittle everyone that disagrees with them, the majority of them have no social skills. The are the most arrogant bunch of people I’ve ever come across. Sorry if I offended any decent fine gael people and if I have I’d love to meet you because you’d be my first :-)

Then stop bemoaning the lack of revolution and go out and do something revolutionary. Words on a free-to-use forum are easy. Actions, not intentions, bring about change.

ManOnTheStreet
You call me a coward because I pay my taxes? You hide behind a nom de plume and you call someone else by such a pathetic term.?
What sort of degenerate are you that you find bravery in avoiding and evading your social and legal responsibilities. What Society do you believe exists where tolerance is shown to those who cheat and lie and steal from each other and sneeringly abuse those who comply with their legal obligations.
I don’t care who you are or who your father is but it is patently obvious that neither is known to the other.

I have paid it. But I did so because I was worried about the repercussions of not doing so.
But I won’t lie about that. I think this tax was a horribly unjust tax. I will support the people brave enough to stand up to big phils bully boy tactics.
I called you a coward because you payed out of fear and then attack others who stood up for something.
Your comment about hiding behind a false name is laughable.
I’m not prepared to reveal my identity on the Internet. I won’t apologise for that. Especially not to a coward.

And also, it’s clear from your twitter account that you made up the name mick Collins.
But you call out others for doing the same. (at least I made it obvious)
I think it’s clear to see what type of person you really are.
I’ll shout it this time in case you missed it first time around.
COWARD

How is it unconstitutional? If you don’t pay your taxes you are in breach of the law, simple as.
I don’t remember seeing “I’m not my brother’s keeper” written anywhere in the Irish Constitution.

Since when has a charge become a tax? If it was a tax the revenue would be collecting it not the coco’s.

The household charge IS a tax! It’s just a different name for it, but the fact remains it is a tax. Do you consider PRSI a tax? Of course it is, even though it bears the name “Insurance”.
The TV licence is a tax, even though it’s collected by the post office and called a tax.

http://www.moneyguideireland.com/household-charge-property-tax-more-details.html

Ignoreland sorry guy but your wrong,it is not a tax as yet no matter how often you post otherwise.

Of course it’s unconstitutional. If the parents commit a crime are the children responsible ? This quite clearly blaming the children for the parents breaking the law. UNCONSTITUTIONAL.

Norman it may not be a tax by name but in form it is

@ignoreland – if it’s a tax, why are revenue not collecting it? Maybe you should tell them they’ve got it wrong.

@Scarr, As i said before not all taxes are collected by the Revenue. The TV licence is a tax and it’s collected by the Post Office. It’s also called a licence, not a tax but that doesn’t matter. If it’s a source of revenue for the government that’s levied on the wealth of an individual then it constitutes a tax regardless of what it’s called. If you look at the link I posted from moneyguideireland, they also say it’s a tax. No amount of red thumbs can detract from the fact that it is a tax.

@ Jeff, saying someone is eligible or ineligible for something is not the same as saying that they’re guilty or not guilty of a crime. No one who doesn’t get a grant goes around saying that they are being punished for the “success” of their parents. If the grant is contingent upon the income of the parent, then it is logical that it is the tax compliance of the parents that is at issue, not that of the child.

Amazing Isn’t it. This sense of automatic entitlement. I want the state( everyone else) to cough up to educate and support my children but I don’t want to pay tax myself

Shush! Don’t be giving Hulk Hogan any ideas!

Totally agree Paul we need mass demonstrations like the French! In this country we are all talk and no action. Sick of being walked all over by this goverment. I have good paying job work hard and by the time I have paid all necessary bills/diesel/taxes I am finding it harder and harder to put food on the table for me misus and 2 youngkids. #workingpoor

Totally agree Paul we need mass demonstrations like the French! In this country we are all talk and no action. Sick of being walked all over by this goverment. I have good paying job work hard and by the time I have paid all necessary bills/diesel/taxes I am finding it harder and harder to put food on the table for me misus and 2 youngkids. #workingpoor

Do you think you might be overreacting and a little too dramatic
“And the sky will fall down”

unless he gets re-elected.

Don’t be so sure. Look who is criticizing Hogan, it’s Barry Cowen – the brother of the man who destroyed this country. He was elected to Brian Cowen’s vacated seat by the halfwits of Laois- Offaly, and there’s plenty more deluded fools in this country who will ensure we get the govt we deserve.

Or maybe we already have and will continue to get the government we want.

One thing I’ve learned in the few months I’ve been following the journal is that the comments are generally not representative of broad public opinion.
If I took the journal comments as a barometer I would have expected the fiscal treaty to have been rejected by a large majority and less than 25% compliance with the HHC.

the next one who mentions €100 household charge will be sentenced to live on bread and water from the next 6 months,
where are you people getting €100 from??
@Andy McD.??

Diarmuid

You have been caught lying . That is…….LYING. You weren’t actually caught, you just stupidly blurted out that you were lying. Any argument you have made now and forever is irrelevant because you don’t understand the meaning of anything but lying.

“I would normally never discuss a personal scenario……”
Your own words Diarmuid ……….horrible isn’t it to caught out with dishonesty like that and your accusation against me is that I posted at the same time as you admitted your lie.

Ah poor ole Micks sight is going now too, he can’t even post in the right comment, sher God help us! I’m lying is it? Good man, only you could derive that from a pretty concrete few posts from me. Funny how no one but you has seen these “lies”. Back to trolling with ya Mick you horrible excuse for a human being. Only a coward like you would accuse someone of lying behind an avatar. Did you ever stop and think how ironic it is that you stalk this site telling people how they need to face up to their responsibilities etc etc and you can’t even face up to yourself, you’ve to hide behind a pseudo name, you creep! Then again assuming you had noticed this irony credits you with too much intelligence I suspect.

Im afraid the irony is lost and gone..crass government as bad as the bent politicans they replaced

You mean the debt right down of €100 billion they got or the fact that the IMF is already suggesting the Greek program be extended for an additional 2 years as to much to soon is being cut and it’s killing the Greek economy?

Look where cowardice and stupidity has got Ireland!

Good ladeen yourself Desmond, and be sure to vote for this crowd at the next GE.

The household charge is a “charge” it is not yet a tax.

Desmond what if these people simply don’t have the hundred euro to pay the household charge? Does that mean that their children aren’t entitled to third level education because they are impoverished?

I 100% agree with you. This is fair play to those who paid it, not being harsh on those who haven’t.

Paul and Desmond, I would ask you to read my post below!

exactly. And to those who claim they don’t have €100, it’s only €1.92 per week. The charge was well publicised during 2011. You knew it was coming. You should have built it into your weekly budget for 2012.

your second name says it all!

Desmond you need your head tested boy, if they told you to jump you’d prob say “how high”.

There are a number of serious issues with the 2011 Household Charge Act which can and should be challenged in court. It was rushed through the Oireachtas late last year . People’s rights have been trampled on, the Government’s Bill to deal with Personal Debt is contradicted by this Act. It is surprising that this Bill was not referred to the Supreme Court to test it’s constitutionality,,,,,,,,, where was Mary McAleese in all of this,,,, ?
The Household Charge Act introduces a tax that is outside the normal type of taxation because that tax is not based on the ability of the person to pay contrary to the USC which is income based.It further contains a punitive element designed to force people to pay up regardless of their ability to do so.In normal taxation the punitive element is only introduced where persons persist in refusing to comply with reasonable taxation obligations.
The Household Charge Act because of the number of unjust elements in it should be repealed at the earliest opportunity.

What have “the Germans” got to do with Phil Hogan, Brian Cowen, Brian Lenihan, Enda Kenny and co?

Define free loaders Michael. Do you mean those who are already paying their tax, PRSI, USC, car tax, VAT, health insurance, additional ‘voluntary’ contributions to their kids schools, pay for their own bin removal and septic tank requirements. Do you mean those who object to paying a one size fits all charge that does not take into consideration house size, area and value?

BTW say if this goes to court and is found to be unconstitutional and the Clare Co. Council has to pick up the court costs will you think it is still a brilliant idea?

So whomever has not paid the HHC pays no taxes or charges at all,is that your contention?

Free loaders?…..we’re all taking up the jackse to appease German bankers and bondholders……if this type of shite happened in Germany or France there would be a revolution….support your county…if you leave here….how dare you call my Mom a freeloader

Well said Kerry.

It’s pretty expensive to be a “free loader” in Ireland it seems.

@ MAP – Germany wouldn’t stand for it? Germany has metered water rates, metered waste water rates, property tax, income tax, mandatory pension insurance / tax and mandatory private health insurance ( €300 – €500 per month ) for non-nationals. Putting aside what the tax take is spent on, most of the EU countries, those we’d like to emulate, have a far higher tax take per head than Ireland. Those services are not free.

So we blindly pay every new makey up tax,charge they think up.Don’t demand reform or accountiability just pay up and shut up is that right??
Really crack the whip?.Images of slavery there is that where we’re headed,you’re happy with that i see.

Norman, you are only required to do one of the things you listed.

You can demand reform.
You can demand accountability.
You don’t have to shut up.

None of the above is required/prohibited by law.
You only have to pay the tax.

Reform should have been on the agenda first that is my point.The first thing on Hogans agenda was to close down the planning investigations into planning matters in several councils.

Fairly sure those getting mortgage interest relief are exempt from the household charge Reg

Like the mortgage interest relief of 30% that home owners are still waiting for from Ulster Bank that was promised in Budget 2011.

Anne it is only people who are getting supplementary welfare allowance toward mortgage interest and council houses are exempt. Not everyone paying a mortgage is entitled to get Mortgage allowance and not since June 2012 they have taken this benefit away to help struggling mortgage holders so it will be phased out completely after December like every other help to struggling mortgage holders.

Apologies I was completely wrong, I thought Reg was referring the the allowance the social welfare pays towards the mortgage, which if you are in receipt of exempts you from the charge, sorry again.

“If you can’t afford it genuinely”did i miss something? when did Hogan/Kenny say if you can’t afford it you won’t be made pay.Please let me know thanks.

People who cannot afford it are still being asked to pay it and are not exempt Arbitrasure, what are you on about?

So the pensioners, unemployed, disabled, students, low paid etc should be prepared to bear the brunt of the cuts but not afforded as much a say because they’re not economically productive enough?
You can keep your IrelandInc.

Non-home owners are exempt. Those on mortgage interest relief are exempt.

So if you own a house, but don’t qualify for mortgage interest relief, you either have paid off your mortgage or your aren’t that poor.

Any chance you’ll link where the powers that be said if you can’t afford to pay you won’t have to.I searched but can’t find anything please let me know.Thanks again.

Link to the exemption for those on mortgage interest relief would be appreciated too.

So Denis, I will gladly welcome the council cutting all the services, please do start suggesting that to the powers. Obviously in your Dublin bubble where every service is at your feet you forget ppl like my parents and many rural folk who have to pay for their own water well and sewage and the annual upkeep of same. They have not got a light within 5 miles of the house, their rubbish is privately collected and there are no amenities within an 8 miles radius so please drop the arrogant bs and try to disengage your head from your Dublin cocoon!

“This linkage should be extended to all those who owe money to the state” excellent idea Patrick, we’d be out of debt in no time. That would sort out all the high profile people that were most at fault for the recession.

Income taxes – duh. I see the “free” education was wasted on you.

Denis you are a typical “me feiner” and i would suggest you get out of your cocoon that is Dublin and visit the real world. I pay the same taxes as you ( im assuming you pay taxes). We dont have street lights, nobody comes along and cuts our hedges for us we pay for somebody to do that, and may I say my taxes goes towards yours to be cut. We get our water from a well and if there is a leak or burst pipe we pay to fix that and my taxes also goes toward the upkeep of your sewage system and your burst and leaking pipes. Our roads are not salted when the frost comes oh no the council are very happy to leave us to fend for ourselves. I pay a tv licence to rte for a service that they do not provide me with. I could go on, but really you should get your head out of the books and dvds and visit us all in reality.

Well they pay road tax for it, but no, there is grass in the middle of the road and it is quite dangerously narrow. I am pro a property tax but why should pay the parents pay the same as you who has everything at your feet and cleans out the library while they have to drive 5 miles to see a light! It’s called fairness, something those who think the world revolves around Dublin don’t really get it seems!

Denis how much do you pay for your sewage treatment and water per annum cause I am telling you, if all my parents had to pay was €100 for theirs they would take the hand off ya, so drop the smugness and try to understand not everyone is as well serviced as those in Dublin!