Donegal Sinn Féin TD, Pádraig Mac Lochlainn has expressed his disappointment at the latest attack on his party by former Sinn Fein member Micheál Cholm Mac Giolla Easbuig, a spokesperson for Can’t Pay Won’t Pay in the county.
He accused Mr Mac Giolla Easbuig of abusing his position in Can’t Pay Won’t Pay to “fight old battles” rather than building as strong an alliance as possible against the tax.
Earlier Mac Giolla Easbuig had claimed Sinn Fein TDs had said they WILL pay the house tax – when the party has insisted that, like everyone else who doesn’t pay, the money will be deducted from salaries.
Deputy Mac Lochlainn said: “I have remained silent after every attack on my party by our former party member Micheál Cholm Mac Giolla Easbuig up until now. Rather than create division, I have hoped to see maximum unity against the unfairness of the Household Charge and the Property Tax.
“However, as my position on the payment of the property has been intentionally misrepresented, I must now respond.
“I have not paid either the Household Charge or the Property Tax. However, the draconian legislation brought in by this Government means that every home owner will have to pay both the Household Charge and the Property Tax unless my colleague, Pearse Doherty’s bill to repeal this Property Tax legislation repealed is successful.
“Any homeowner who does not pay the Household Charge and the Property Tax will eventually have both amounts along with fines, deducted from their salary, social welfare payments, or farm assist payments. If they are self-employed, they cannot receive a vital Tax Clearance Certificate unless they can demonstrate that they have paid.
“Anyone now claiming that non-payment is an option in the absence of repealing the current Property Tax legislation is talking nonsense”
He continued: “Sinn Féin has focused on viable alternatives to these unjust taxes such as a wealth tax of 1% on assets worth than more than one million euro. We have proved that there is a fairer way.
“Our campaign in Donegal has involved the delivery of tens of thousands of leaflets and the organisation of public meetings across the county, where we outlined our position and called on the people of the county to lobby their Government TDs, Senator and councillors to oppose these taxes.
“At national level, my colleague, Pearse Doherty has led the way with a private members bill seeking to repeal the Government’s Property Tax legislation.
“In the last week, our Sinn Féin team on Donegal County Council gave a great boost to the campaign against these unfair taxes by getting a motion passed against the Property Tax.
“Incredibly, the response of Micheál Cholm Mac Giolla Easbuig was to again, attack Sinn Féin.
“Micheál, a former member of Sinn Féin should stop abusing his position in Can’t Pay Won’t Pay to fight old battles. Rather, he should join us in building as strong an alliance as possible against the tax”.