100% increase in service charges a disgrace

---

Sinn Fein Waterford Representative David Cullinane has described the proposed 100% increase in service charges as a disgrace and labelled any oppostion councillors who supported such massive increases as 'cowards'.

David Cullinane said:

"The people of this state have already been hit hard by Government cutbacks in the latest Book of Estimates and budget. Cutbacks have been met with price hikes in TV licenses, ESB, Motor Tax and other services. Now the people of Waterford are faced with a massive increase in bin charges."

"This government is starving local authorities of funding in order to force local councillors to balance the books by hiking up service charges. This is unacceptable. The people of Waterford already pay for essential services through direct taxation. Service charges are a double taxation which must be abolished."

"Sinn Fein has consistently argued that once such a charge was introduced it could be increased every year with no limit on the amount that can be charged. This is now being brought home to the people of Waterford by the proposed doubling of bin charges"

"What is most dissapointing is that labour Party Councillors look set to back these increases. As a party which proclaims to be a socialist party this is shameful. Even at this late stage I appeal to Labour Councillors not to do the dirty work of Fianna Fail by supporting these 100% increases."

"Sinn Fein seeks to work with residents groups, progressive political parties and the trade union movement in a campaign to oppose these charges."

---

Sinn Fein Press Office, 44 Parnell Square, Dublin 1
Tel: +353-1-8726100 and +353-1-8726839   ·   Fax +353-1-8733074
E-mail: sfpress@eircom.net   ·   Website: http://www.sinnfein.org

---

Sinn Fein   ·   Sinn Fein Documents

---