Cork Workers’ Party Councillor, Ted Tynan, has described a government leaflet currently being circulated to promote the new Household Charge as “the stuff of fairytales” and said it is grossly misleading and an attempt to give the impression that the payment of the charge will benefit communities.

Cllr. Tynan said that the leaflet looked like a small holiday brochure with glossy photos of green parks, libraries and other amenities.  The leaflet claimed that the household charge would help local authorities provide such facilities, something Cllr. Tynan strongly contested.

“The leaflet is a complete fairytale”, said Cllr. Tynan, “it states that the Household Charge gives extra funding to local government for the provision of amenities such as parks, libraries and emergency services such as the fire brigade.  This is completely untrue.  Local authorities such as Cork City Council have again had their funds cut this year and the services referred to have been gutted by cutbacks in recent years”.

The Workers Party councillor said that the leaflet was a classic “carrot and stick” approach by the government, designed to portray the Household Charge as something positive but also containing threats for non-payment.  

Cllr. Tynan said the leaflet was a clear sign of desperation on the part of the government and a he questioned the cost of producing it.  “The government is losing the battle on the Household Charge.  A mere 5% of households have registered to-date.  This is merely part of their propaganda war to trick people into acceptance of this unjust and inequitable charge brought in at the behest of the EU/IMF.  People should not be fooled and I would urge them to stick this leaflet in their recycle bin and not give it any credence”, said the Workers Party Councillor.

Issued 12th February 2012