A Chara, - Mr Gearoid del Faoite's letter (January 8th), Group Water Schemes is very relevant to the debate regarding the proposed abolition of Water" Rates. Inequitable taxes should be, replaced by equitable ones. As a member of a group water scheme, I will have to continue to pay for my water. I do not have a problem with this because our water usage is metered and everyone pays according to the amount of water consumed. However, I live in a rural area and need to run two cars. Under the new proposals to be introduced by the Minister I will have to pay extra tax on both cars so that people in Dublin and other urban centres can have water. Car tax is punitive enough, with little sign that the funds are used to improve the road infrastructure especially in rural areas.
Moving taxes around like this is similar to moving traffic jams. Whatever taxes are levied on people they should be equitable. This new proposal is the very antithesis of the vision "that all the people of the nation should be treated equally" which I thought was part of our cherished Constitution. - Yours, etc.,
Leaca,
Kiltale,
Dunsany.
Co Meath.