It is not often that national issues are discussed in the borough council chamber, but the topic of Minister Phil Hogan’s ‘household charge’ was fiercely debated in Kilkenny City Hall this week.
The issue proved a divisive one, as the members voted on a Fianna Fail-led motion to ask the Government not to introduce a €100 household charge.
Cllr Joe Reidy said passing the motion would send a strong message, coming from Minister Hogan’s own backyard. The Fianna Fail councillor argued that the charge would be too big an imposition on this public.
“There’s no equity, I think it’s unfair,” he said.
“Ultimately, the shops will suffer also, as it will just be another €100 people don’t have to spend.”
Sinn Fein’s councillor Kathleen Funchion seconded the motion.
“We all know people are struggling at the moment,” she said.
“I think this is a completely unfair tax – the more money we cut, the more we take from people, the less we have to spend.”
Cllr Malcolm Noonan, who would later abstain from the vote, said that his supporting the motion would be ‘just as hypocritical’ as Fianna Fail proposing it.
“It was a Green/Fianna Fail coalition that brought the IMF into this country” he said.
“This Government is left with little choice but to implement the four year plan. The Fianna Fail government agreed to a cut in the minimum wage. There isn’t any credibility in Fianna Fail speaking on behalf of these people.
“I don’t support the household charge – it’s an arbitrary, flat, charge on working families, on low income families. I support the motion, but it rings hollow.”
Councillor Betty Manning said she had to read the motion a few times.
“I couldn’t believe that Fianna Fail had proposed this motion,” she said.
“Minister Phil Hogan told me that Fianna Fail had actually planned a €200 charge, and that he had brought it down. He has also introduced exemptions for a number of families. Cllr Reidy knows this.”
Responding, Cllr Andrew McGuinness said he was insulted by Cllr Manning’s comments.
“It’s an insult to suggest that, because we are Fianna Fail, we can’t speak out about this,” he said.
“It’s not about the party you represent, it’s about the people you represent.”
Labour’s Seán Ó hArgáin said that there was already a public consensus that Ireland’s obligations to the IMF, EU, and ECB must be met.
“I, too, am disappointed at the cynicism of the motion,” said the councillor.
Fine Gael and Labour councillors voted against the motion, while Fianna Fail and Sinn Fein voted for it. Cllr Noonan abstained.
Without a clear majority, the motion was not carried.
