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2003
SIPTU condemns jailing of more bin tax protesters
Date Released: 09 Oct 2003SIPTU General President, Jack O'Connor, has condemned the jailing of ten more anti-bin tax campaigners - including a SIPTU shop steward - as a "highly provocative action with nothing but negative consequences in the present crisis." "Instead of seeking ways to resolve this issue, the authorities - at both national and local level - seem to be determined to inflame the situation further by seeking the imposition of totally disproportionate punishments on people who have engaged in acts of civil disobedience," he said. "The unwarranted detention of these people is in marked contrast to that accorded to others with influence and wealth who have so far escaped justice despite having engaged in unlawful actions of a far more serious nature," he continued. The SIPTU leader urged workers and their families to make their feelings known by supporting the protest demonstration in Dublin this Saturday. The march - which will begin in Parnell Square at 12 noon - is seeking proper funding of local authorities while opposing privatisation of local services. "The bin tax is unjustifiable on the grounds of equity - not only because the levy varies from one local authority area to another but also because these charges are being imposed to make up for cuts in Government grants to local authorities at a time when the same Government is giving massive tax breaks and allowances to the wealthy, as the recent Report by the Comptroller and Auditor General made clear," he said. "The bin tax is also unjustifiable on grounds of public health. Access to proper drinking water, sanitation and refuse collection services is a human right. These are essential public services - not optional extras - and should be paid for out of general taxation," he added.
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