Council Business, Media/Press Releases, Uncategorized
Feb 8, 2012
Deirdre
No Comments

HOUSEHOLD CHARGE

Household Charge

I, and I presume other councillors, have received representations querying the legality of the Household Charge.  These claims are spurious.Non-payment may result in a court appearance and fine of up to 2,500.  I sought clarification not alone from the FG Party but independently from Barristers to provide assurance to those people who contacted me in relation to the matter.  I understand that people are resisting the notion of such a charge and I would urge them to refer to the reason this charge was introduced in the first instance (deal done with Troika by previous government) and the long term future strategy for funding of local government whereby people will see the benefits locally and have more control of where these monies are being spent.

The Local Government (Household Charge) Act 2011 provides the legislative basis for the household charge.  Under this Act, owners of certain residential properties are, in respect of each liability date, required to –

    (a)     make a declaration of liability to pay an annual household charge in respect of that property, and

(b)       pay the said charge,

Citizens and residents of the State are bound by the laws of the State which are enacted by the Oireachtas.  This is underscored by the Constitution of Ireland.  There is no validity in the suggestion put forward that a person can opt out of a law of the State by not consenting to it.  As stated above, owners of residential property liable to the household charge are, under the foregoing Act, required to make a declaration of liability and to pay the household charge.  The Act further provides for offences where a person contravenes these statutory requirements. 

Leave a comment

To whom will you give your 'Number 1' vote in the forthcoming election?

  • Fianna Fail (56%, 5 Votes)
  • Fine Gael (33%, 3 Votes)
  • Labour (11%, 1 Votes)
  • Green Party (0%, 0 Votes)
  • Sinn Fein (0%, 0 Votes)
  • Independent (0%, 0 Votes)
  • Not going to vote (0%, 0 Votes)

Total Voters: 9

Loading ... Loading ...

Twitter Updates