Charge ‘an unjust and regressive tax’

“THE Universal Social Charge is an unjust and regressive tax which bears most heavily on those least able to pay it,” declared Councillor Brendan Killeavy at last Thursday’s meeting of Tullamore Town Council as he proposed they call on the Government to abolish it.

“THE Universal Social Charge is an unjust and regressive tax which bears most heavily on those least able to pay it,” declared Councillor Brendan Killeavy at last Thursday’s meeting of Tullamore Town Council as he proposed they call on the Government to abolish it.

His call was backed by Cllr Sean O’Brien, who said that it affected those on low incomes. “People on €7,000 a year are being made to pay for the mistakes of the banks. We have to lay down a marker,” he stated, saying that such a charge was ‘ripping the heart out of retail’.

Cllr Tommy McKeigue agreed that they should have one charge instead of several and it was agreed to write to the Government.

Cllr Killeavy also commented that there was a ‘new poor’ in Ireland, the ‘working poor’.

The meeting also backed a motion from Cllr Killeavy urging that the Council consider either topping or thinning trees opposite Marian Place (near Lloyd Town Park). He said houses in the area were not getting enough light.