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MEMBERS OF a campaign group that has held weekly marches opposing Ireland’s bailout for almost two years are in Brussels today to meet with MEPs.
The protestors from Ballyhea and Charleville in Co Cork are meeting members of the European Parliament’s Economic and Monetary Affairs committee, including its chairwoman, Sharon Bowles from Britain’s Liberal Democrats.
The group said the ultimate goal of its travel was to seek assistance in securing a meeting with the European Central Bank, which it holds responsible for pushing Ireland into a sovereign bailout to save its banking sector.
Campaign founder Diarmuid O’Flynn told radioep.ie it was his ultimate goal to get a meeting at the Frankfurt-based bank so he could ask it to explain its actions.
Members have already travelled to Frankfurt to seek such meetings, but have met with little success.
“We’re hoping that first of all as a member of the parliament – but secondly as a member of the Economic Committee – that she [Bowles] has some influence with the ECB,” O’Flynn told radioep.ie’s Karen Coleman. “We’re hoping she can do something for us. I don’t know if she can.”
O’Flynn – a sports writer with the Irish Examiner by day – said ultimately it was his hope to speak and negotiate directly with the bank.
I would like to somebody in the eye in the ECB, and ask them to justify what they have done to the Irish people.To justify what they have done: all the lies that they told us, all the bullying that went on, all the blackmailing that went on… that unless you accept this bank debt, we’re going to pull the plug on the other funding.
I would like to look someone [in the eye] in the ECB – not somebody at the bottom, somebody at the top – to justify what they have done to us.
The group is bringing a number of letters, directly addressed to Bowles, written by ordinary people in Ireland outlining how they have been affected by the crash and by the austerity that has followed the bailout.
On the group’s Facebook page, O’Flynn acknowledged that trying to unilaterally seek negotiations with the ECB was “a big ask”, but said:
“If you don’t ask, and our highly-paid government negotiators didn’t, then you have no chance.”
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Why not just abolish the USC 11 years on from Enda Kenny’s 2011 election promise.
Utility, fuel, mortgage interest rates, childcare, rents, motor insurance, home insurance, paying 40% tax at 36k to name a few.
People earning what is perceived to be a decent wage are fawking broke at the end of the month and one of payment of €200 might help for one month but what about the other 11?
There needs to be a substantial change and to make that happen the only logical reason is to abolish the USC.
It was supposed to be a short term solution. It has been 11 years.
@Fay Moynihan: the problem is that USC generates about €4.5bn a year for the exchequer. Where do we get €4.5bn from to plug the gap?
@Fay Moynihan: asking for a friend but where do you expect the shortfall to come from…?
@GrumpyAulFella: They’ll make it off the VAT on the fuel and alcohol prices as well as the increased corporation taxes.
@GrumpyAulFella: taxing the bailed out banks, vulture funds and enforcing the correct corporate tax bands while closing all other tax avoidance loop holes will achieve that and more.
@Luke: good question and very few have a proper answer. USC actually closes a tax loophole that the high earners use for income tax by writing off assets and pension contributions so keep this for high earners but should be got rid of for under 30k.
@GrumpyAulFella: What did the Goverment do for this money before USC was introduced ?
@Fay Moynihan: you didn’t actually believe Enda Kenny.
@GrumpyAulFella:
Suspend and review the many tax avoiding/evasion/dodging/and whatever your having yourself loopholes would be a start.
@GrumpyAulFella: Where was it got before that ?
@GrumpyAulFella: I love the ‘where do we get the €4.5bn from now’ argument. Who cares? The supposed finest minds in the land are TDs supported by MORE finest minds in advisors, no one cares where it comes from, it’s their job, do the work, find it somewhere else. Also, BTW, all that USC money? It’s badly needed by people and would be instantly spent again creating more vat spend and creating more jobs. It’s not hard. Pass level Economics tells you that’s how it’d work. The reality is theres no appetite to find an alternative, the USC is an easier target.
@Fay Moynihan: and how do you expect to replace the money that the usc brings in.
This should be restricted to primary home accounts only, not a multiple payment to those with holiday homes.
@Noel_Random: But those people you refer to are paying ‘multiple’ Local Property Taxes. are they not? Would you also agree that this be restricted to the primary home?
@sean o’dhubhghaill: yes because Most second homes are rented out and if not then there is f all electricity being used… Or is that too logical
If they reduced vat on electricity then is would be a much fairer way as holiday home would not recieved the full 200
@Noel_Random: and how do you think you can distinguish a primary house to a holiday one
Why not give €200 to every house hold to use as they need, this handing directly to big company’s doesn’t sit well with me,
@kevin mc cormack: Because then you’d have people giving out about the people that spend the 200 on drink and cigs (had to change that from the “f” word) and whatever. Fine Gael couldn’t be having that!
Government would have made around 400m in tax on fuel in January but spending 376m on a credit is supposed to be some sort of generous rebate.
Well they can shove their”centrepiece “ where the sun don’t shine. SCRAP USC. Reduce fuel costs. Top brains in this country, paid exorbitant salaries and this is what they come up with?!?!. And what do the masses do??? Exactly as they hope- we start arguing amongst ourselves, blaming everyone else. Let’s all keep doing what we always do-forget at polling time. I won’t forget. Bail banks out while we try to “ shop around” tighten our belts” and keep food on the table and a roof over our head. I’m so angry.
@Tracey Montgomery:
Agree. I think irelands been here before.
Its all going to end badly AGAIN
They make very little difference to the average wage earner.
The government’s sky rocketing cost of living solution is a 200€ your PAYE tax refund. LMAO
The government laughing at the Irish people take it n shut up
Sinn Féin said, Sinn Féin said…
I can’t wait for Sinn Féin to get into power to see how they deal with the realities of governing.
They were dising the plan yesterday before it was even announced.
@Stanley Marsh: maybe because they knew that the likes of Mr €402,000 Paul Reid and Micheal 3 houses Martin are gonna get this ‘ hardship’ aid.
@Stanley Marsh: yes just look at northern Ireland people have similar financial struggles there.
@Stanley Marsh: “Before it was even announced”!!, The dogs in street knew what was coming didnt need a crystal ball. They were being leaked for days
@Stanley Marsh: can’t wait for all the cheap diesel and all the other free stuff.
@John Mulligan: only if you don’t want to work hard
My holiday home is in Costa Rica will i be entitled to €400
get rid of the USC , 14 years bleeding people, the USC was never a profit gaining exercise, it was to bail out banks , the banks are now back making billions while we are being charged the highest interest rates in Europe
They are forcing people to pay for their electricity!!!!
Where’s the Q&A for “I live off-grid and generate my own electricity, can I have €200 please….?”
@Reuben Gray: I don’t by the way, just being facetious.
They were Flaging it was going be to be doubled Good PR I’d say Like they said The Pension was going to increase By Five Euro but A lot of People only got Four Euro Fifty Cent More misleading PR
Genuine question: What did we do before the USC?
@Boksburg Girl: Higher income tax rates
@Thomas O’ Donnell:
Not true. It was brought in as an extra tax after the crash.
@Boksburg Girl: Had extra money in our pocket.
@Boksburg Girl: we had what was called a ‘health levy’ which was about 4-5% if I remember correctly.
Electric Ireland recently gave me €200 to stay with them for another year (I’m with them over ten years now)
@Peter: Energia work out about 600 cheaper for me. But what I dont understand is why I pay carbon tax on my electricity when Energia declare it be 100% from renewable sources.
@Juniper: Was wondering the same recently
@Juniper:
Interesting! You should contact them about it
@Juniper: Do you honeslty believe that when there is no wind blowing and the sun isn’t shining that your electricity is coming from a renewable source regardless of who your supplier is. Energia have to purchase the electricity from non-renewable sources (gas, oil) during those times.
55% of homes here in my area are holiday homes. Also there is NO bus.
In rural Ireland we pay a higher energy rate to begin with. Thanks a lot!
Very few in the middle class, that’s who. Want to know why FFG allow vulture funds in and go out of their way to keep property prices high? https://youtu.be/BXTPzFSx6oI
Russel has some interesting things to say..
When is the payment due.
@Patabake Kennedy: April as far as I know.
@Patabake Kennedy: March/April billing cycle, with any surplus,if any, being carried over to May/June cycle.
@Franny Ando:
April 1st
It doesn’t really matter of with or without vat. The next bill will be 200€ less and that’s all what is important.
Why not in the Jan/Feb billing cycle? It’s Winter that the bills are highest…
I’ll take the €200,thanks very much!
Is it €200 per person or per home? Trying to figure out if I get a credit on my holiday home but i haven’t seen this cleared up anywhere?
@Oisin Murphy: per electricity account
Donegal is where the sun don’t shine.
I bet you not many consumers will have a bill under 200
This is a disgusting example of irish politics. I don’t need this bribe. A much bigger amount could be given to those who really need it. I’m a pensioner, I have enough at the moment luckily.
Tony Brady
This is a disgusting example of irish politics. I don’t need this bribe. A much bigger amount could be given to those who really need it. I’m a pensioner, I have enough at the moment luckily.
Tony Brady
0879480482
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