For a number of years there has been a campaign of mass non-payment of the bin tax across Dublin. The bin tax is an unjust flat rate tax that has been introduced to further shift the burden of taxation onto working people. In other words, this is a kind of mini-poll tax issue.

In addition the tax is a first step towards the privatisation of the bin collection service, as it is intended to provide private operators with a secure income stream.

Today, Fingal Council have decided to stop collecting the bins of non-payers. In response, residents have blockaded the trucks into their estates, telling the Council - All bins or no bins!

The protests began before eight this morning. There is no sign of them moving yet.

This is the lead item on all news reports in Ireland at the moment. Joe Higgins, the Socialist Party TD (member of parliament) has just been on Ireland's most popular radio show defending the protests.

The Gardai (police) are taking the protestors names, claiming that they will be prosecuted. The radio presenter asked Joe Higgins if his name has been taken. Joe replied "I think the Gardai already know who I am".

A Fianna Fail Senator has just been quoted on the radio denouncing Joe Higgins for encouraging people to break the law.

For further info see:

www.nobintax.info (Fingal campaign)
www.stopthebintax.com (All Dublin website)
www.socialistparty.net (Irish Socialist Party website)