Class Unity Will Defeat Privatisation & Water Tax!

[PRC-UTE]

Derry Irish Republican Socialist Party
Press Release

IRSP: Class Unity Will Defeat Privatisation & Water Tax!

Irish Republican Socislist Party representative John Hogan has expressed
anger at any possible introduction of a Water Tax and has called on
working class communities to avail of continuing public meetings within
the city to voice thier opposition to it.

Mr Hogan said "The constant drip, drip, dripping of information and news
stories churned out in recent months has everyone's head turned when it
comes to the issues involved with Water Charges. Our party has attended
what hopes to be a series of community public meetings in an effort to
create a confident grass-roots fight back against any possible job cuts or
the introduction of a Water Tax.

"There is sadly a strategy now in motion to frighten people into accepting
that they are in a no-win situation. That is simply music to the ears of
those who are wishing for an easy life as the axe and privatise public
service jobs and introduce further forms of taxes, be it a water tax or
something else by the back door.

"It is up to each and everyone of us be it here in Derry or elsewhere in
the north west to organise both within each and every community and
workplace organisation. For republican socialists we call for all those
opposed it to directly get involved in developing an organised united
campaign of mass rejection and non-payment which will show the councils,
Stormont and the Northern Ireland Office where they can strick their Water
Tax.

Mr. Hogan concluded: "The next public meeting will take place on December
7th at the Ballymagroarty & Hazelbank Community Centre and everyone is
welcome to come along. Can I again remind everyone that it is up to all of
us to make sure that nobody feels left out, abandoned or isolated. We
must ensure that everyone has the full backing and support of their
neigbours, workmates and any local campaign groups.

WE CAN DEFEAT THIS AS THEY CAN'T JAIL US ALL!

ENDS

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related story:


Water rates row grows (http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/story.jsp?story=590317)
MLA s and unions vow that fight will go on

By Brendan McDaid

06 December 2004
Local MLAs and Trade Unions have reiterated their vow to fight water charges if the Assembly is recalled.

The groups re-affirmed their positions during a packed public meeting in Galliagh to discuss the government's proposals to introduce water charges.

A full report will be forwarded to government highlighting the questions asked and the concerns raised.


Greater Shantallow area residents expressed concern over the government plans and disappointment that invited representatives from the Water Reform Unit had not attended the meeting.

Speaking after the event, organiser Oliver Green, from the Galliagh Community Development Group, said: "We listened to many local residents expressing their fears of what the implementation of water charges will mean for them and their families.

"We heard how those people, already living on very low incomes in one of the north's most socially and economically deprived areas, would further suffer if these new charges came into force."

The SDLP and Sinn Fein and local residents are set to back an inclusive mass campaign to defeat the government's proposals.

Mr Green said: "Whilst some representatives of the smaller parties such as the SEA and IRSP advocated a don't pay campaign, there were voices of caution raised about the effect and support for such a campaign.

"One elderly gentlemen recalled how back in the early 70's the non-payment of rent campaign backfired on those who took part because of the lack of support and led ultimately to people having to pay huge sums of back rent."

SDLP MLA Mary Bradley said that her party would be taking their opposition to the plans into any new assembly.

Sinn Fein MLA Mitchell McLaughlin added that his party would oppose the charges on the grounds that this was "double taxation" and that people had already paid for the water services.

Mr McLaughlin added that the real problem lay in systematic under-investment in the water service industry by successive governments.

Jimmy Doherty from Galliagh Integrated Advice Services gave a presentation outlining the impact water rates charges could have on local families. Liam Gallagher, secretary of Derry Trades Council, also attended.

Chairing the meeting, Mr Green said that an invitation had been sent to Nigel McCormack, Director of the Water Reform Unit to attend.