IRSP erect billboard against water tax

antrim | consumer issues | press release Tuesday March 06, 2007 04:22 by TMcManus - Irish Republican Socialist Party 392 Falls Road Belfast +44 (0) 28 9032 1024

"Water - Don't Pay Twice!"

The IRSP have added their voice to the struggle against water charges yet again, this time by erecting a billboard to promote the campaign.

IRSP comrades with erected billboard

Daly / Mc Namee Cumann
Press Release
5th March 2007

*FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE*

Belfast IRSP representative, Gerard Foster today called for the public to
be courageous in the face of the impending Water Tax due to come into play
in April.

Speaking at the launch of the IRSP "Water - Don't Pay Twice!" campaign in
Belfast this evening, Mr. Foster expressed his unconditional support for
the massive non-payment campaign.

"The IRSP call on the wider public to stand strong and to show the courage
they have repeatedly shown over the years in the face of British
adversity.

The Water Tax is just another form of British oppression.

He went on to add, "The working class people of West Belfast are already
paying for their water. It is a widely known fact that 37% of your rates
bill goes towards Water and Sewerage. Why people should then have to pay
a further levy for this service is pure extortion.

"Water is being sold off for profit by the British government. Along with
this is your human right to have access to a pure and clean water supply.
The government and those who would support the Water Tax are abandoning
your human rights and are trying their best to scare and intimidate people
into paying this tax, by claiming that they will no longer be able to
obtain credit if they refuse or default with their payment. This is an
absolutely ludicrous claim to be making.

"All of the mainstream parties (SF, SDLP, DUP and UUP) have signed up to
this stealth tax during their periods in the Executive regardless of their
feable claims of opposition to the Water Tax. Every single one of them.
It is time that the people wakened up to the constant lies and rants of
these self seeking party leaders.

Mr. Foster speaks out at a time when the north of the country are about to
be plunged into the middle of the Election campaign for the Devolved
Legislative Authority of the British Empire and the Stormont seats which
are up for grabs. Parties such as SF and the SDLP have consistently
expressed their opposition to the Water charges, but both parties will not
support the non-payment campaign. SF are intending to petition the
British Chancellor of the Exchequer for relaxed methods of payment, and a
change to the so called "phasing scheme" of the British government.

"We must stand together and resist this Tax of the Working Class. It is
the working class who will suffer, and who will have to pay time and time
again. Small business and multi-national corporate orgainisations alike
will also have to pay increased water charges as a result, but we all know
that this will be passed onto the consumer and not soaked up by the profit
margins of these companies.

"The only way to beat this tax is to stand together, let our opposition
be heard and refuse to pay the Water charges come April! We need a
campaign of mass support. They cannot jail us all."

To contact the IRSP in your area in relation to the Water Tax call, +44
(0) 28 9032 1024. Otherwise, email IRSP - Don't Pay Twice! and label
subject as "Water Tax", stating your name, contact details and nature of
your query.

Statement Ends.