DISPUTE OVER BIN CHARGES

Madam, - Finian McGrath TD maintains (January 13th) that a charge for refuse collection is a second tax and that citizens have…

Madam, - Finian McGrath TD maintains (January 13th) that a charge for refuse collection is a second tax and that citizens have already paid for that service through income tax and indirect taxes, apparently meaning VAT and taxes on petrol, alcohol, and tobacco.

Presumably he will also object to water charges. How about dog licences, TV licences, postage stamps, Vehicle Registration Tax, annual road tax, the levy on insurance premiums, driving licences, driving test charges, car testing charges, duty on credit cards, various stamp duties, and that portion of motorway tolls which are ascribed to the public rather than the private sector? - Yours, etc.,

F.W. PEARD, Lucan, Co Dublin.