Govt to fine householders who do not pay new household charge
Householders face fines of €10 - and will be unable to sell their home - if they do not pay the Government's new €100 a year household charge.
The Socialist Party has promised a mass campaign against the charges and is urging people to resist paying.
The Government is proceeding with the household charge from next January for two years until a full property tax system is put in place.
Some 1.6 million households will have to pay the new charge. About 250,000 households on mortgage support or in unfinished estates will get a waiver and will not have to pay.
Environment Minister Phil Hogan said €160m would be raised through the charge.
"It's €2 per week, the lowest possible charge that we could implement in order to comply with the expectation (of €160m) in the EU/IMF agreement," he said.
Those who refuse to pay will be fined €10 per month. They will also be unable to sell their home unless they pay the charge and fines, or the new owners agree to pay them.
Socialist Party TD Joe Higgins called the system "extortion" and urged people to resist the charge.