Micheál Cholm Mac Giolla Easbuig of Can’t Pay Won’t Pay has called on Councillor Gary Doherty of Sinn Fein to back a boycott of the water charges.
Cllr Gary Doherty has said he will NOT be paying water charges.
It follows Councillor Doherty’s statement that we will not pay the charge.
Independent Councillor Mac Giolla Easbuig has also called on the remaining eight Sinn Fein members of Donegal County Council to clarify their positions also.
He said “While I welcome Councillor Doherty’s decision as an individual to publicly state he will not pay water charges, I believe that as a public representative he has a responsibility to go further and back those who are taking the fight to the government, by supporting the call for a boycott of the charges.
“It’s all very well talking about what will happen after the next general election, but the fight is now and those like Councillor Doherty who oppose the charges need to back up their words with action.”
He added that Councillor Doherty must be asking why so many in the leadership of Sinn Fein have declared that they will pay the charges.
“He has rightly acknowledged that there are many hard-pressed families who will not be able to afford bills which could be close to €500 and is correct to say that is a matter of standing in solidarity with those people by not paying. So why the lack of solidarity from so many leading Sinn Fein TDs?
“It should also be noted that out of nine Donegal County Councillors, Councillor Doherty is the only one who has made his position known. I believe the other eight Sinn Fein councillors should make their position on paying the water charges public also. As public representatives we all have a duty to provide leadership and not give out confusing mixed messages about individual decisions.”
He added that following the massive demonstration in Dublin at the weekend, there is now a feeling of renewed hope that we can defeat the attempt to impose these charges.
“The vast majority of the 100,000 who marched will support a boycott. They will be joined by 100,000s more. Clearly rattled, the government has announced concessions, but that will not cut across the momentum which is now building towards a huge boycott which can sweep the charges away. All those opposed to the charges must do what they can to encourage and build this movement.”
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