Joe Higgins TD

Video: Joe Higgins tells Tanaiste not to scapegoat the unemployed for economic crisis

In recent days press reports on briefings given by the Minister for Social Protection and senior officials in her Department have pointed to the beginning of a campaign to exert pressure on and harass unemployed people. Apparently, the Minister is to unveil next week a programme entitled, Pathways to Work. It has been stated every unemployed person in the State will be given a date by which he or she will be expected to be off the live register.

This is referred to in a sinister turn of phrase as the “prediction of exit date”, something one might associate more with sentencing...

CAHWT Press Statement: Today​’s Anglo payment is 8 years of Household Taxes

Campaign Against Household & Water Taxes (CAHWT)

Press statement 25 Jan 2012 – issued after protest at Anglo Irish Bank offices, Dublin, by Campaign Against Household & Water Taxes.
The protest was supported by 9 TDs backing the non-payment of the household tax.

Single Anglo payment dwarfs household & austerity taxes

Witholding Household Tax can send powerful message about the bailouts

The payment today of €1.25 billion to Anglo Irish Bank unsecured bondholders is a national scandal. This payment in a single day equates to eight years...

Press Statement: Case of Louise Bayliss intended to discourage whistleblo​wing

Responding to the case of Louise Bayliss whose contract at the Irish Advocacy Network will not be renewed because of her role in exposing the mistreatment of psychiatric patients in the care of the HSE Joe Higgins TD said:

“There has been no delivery yet on whistleblowing legislation. Indeed the Labour Party presented such legislation when in opposition in 1999. The non renewal of Ms Bayliss’s contract is a loss to the psychiatric care sector and cannot but be seen as a vindictive response by the HSE, who part fund her post, to her role in exposing the mistreatment of patients.

“Similarly...

Comment: Savage cuts to education for children, yet more bailouts for Anglo Bondholders

Yesterday thousands of parents, teachers and pupils staged a passionate demonstration at the Department of Education in Dublin. They were from schools benefiting from the programme known as ‘Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools’ or DEIS which was designed to counter the many ill effects on children living in areas of high unemployment and poverty.

The protest is over draconian cuts in funding of these schools which will result in a serious loss of teachers notwithstanding the attempt by Minister for Education Quinn to play down their effects. These cuts fit into the overall...

CAHWT Press Statement: CAHWT vows to build mass non-registration by St Patrick’s Day

Campaign Against Household & Water Taxes (CAHWT)

Campaign goes nationwide as 97.5% still not paying Household Tax

* CAHWT vows to build mass non-registration by St Patrick’s Day

* Nationwide meetings, poster and newsletter launched

The Campaign Against Household & Water Taxes today (Friday 20 Jan) launched a national poster and 250,000 newsletters to build a series of nationwide meetings.

Speaking at the launch today, Cllr Matt Waine of the CAHWT steering group said:

“We are part of the 97.5% who still have not registered to...

CAHWT Press Statement: Minister Hogan’s comments vindicate campaigns warning of €1,000 per

Press Release

Campaign Against Household and Water Taxes

Minister Hogan’s comments vindicate campaigns warning of €1,000 per
year charge on hard pressed families

Household tax the first step to property and water taxes

The Campaign Against Household and Water Taxes today claimed that
Government plans to introduce water taxes by 2014 mean that ordinary
households will be hit with stealth taxes of 1000+ euro within two
years when the combined cost of water tax and property tax are taken
into account.

Comment: Inspirational La Senza workers show way forward

Imagine you work with a ‘prestigious’ lingerie retail chain. You have given many years of loyal service for a very average wage. You have gone the extra mile for the company when you were asked. In particular over the Christmas period and particularly during the Sales you worked flat out. And then you came to work last Tuesday morning, January 10 and you find an email from your head office which says the following;

‘The store that you work in ceased trading this morning and all stock has been prepared for collection. As a result of your store having ceased to trade the Administrators...

CAHWT Press Statement: Anti-Household Tax Membership Drive to Fund Campaign

Campaign Against Household & Water Charges (CAHWT)

Press statement 12 Jan 2012

Anti-Household Tax Membership Drive to Fund Campaign

Mick Murphy, of the Fundraising group of the Campaign Against Household & Water Taxes, responds to media commentary about the €5 membership card for the Campaign:

“All the Campaigns against the various attempts to introduce household taxes since rates were abolished in 1977 have had a membership. Funds are needed to pay for millions of leaflets, posters, conference venues and, of course, the new Campaign hotline number...