Natural Disaster Tax?

TeddyTedson

Just looking at some of the devastation that was caused in the West with the storm. A lot of people homes and livelihoods seem to have been destroyed.
From what I gather money is going to be dependent mostly on local councils along with some additional money.

But would it be a good idea at times such as this where natural disaster like this occur to maybe implement an additional small temporary tax on the country until enough money is raised to bail these small communities out if you will. I realise there's insurance companies but they really don't give individual families anywhere near the cost of the damage, something else that should really be addressed.

I get that people don't want to be paying anymore tax than we already are because it's ridiculous at this stage but it sort of seems like the right thing to do...? I mean people who's livelihoods that have been destroyed will have no choice but to join the dole queues so why not help them out to get back on their feet?

Karl Stein

That's what tax already collected is for.

urabell

That's what tax already collected is for.

For Forks Sake

That's what tax already collected is for.

ScumLord

It should already be covered by taxes and insurance. If the councils haven't left enough aside for recurring natural disasters that's there own fault.

We certainly shouldn't be suggesting we pay to cover their mistakes again as usual. I think the government makes more than enough in taxes they're just completely inept at spending the money properly.

TeddyTedson

Carlos Roca wrote: »

That's what tax already collected is for.

urabell wrote: »

That's what tax already collected is for.

Great minds and all that

Yeah I suppose that's part of it but realistically these areas will be drip fed the cash they need.

Czarcasm

TeddyTedson wrote: »

Just looking at some of the devastation that was caused in the West with the storm. A lot of people homes and livelihoods seem to have been destroyed.
From what I gather money is going to be dependent mostly on local councils along with some additional money.

But would it be a good idea at times such as this where natural disaster like this occur to maybe implement an additional small temporary tax on the country until enough money is raised to bail these small communities out if you will. I realise there's insurance companies but they really don't give individual families anywhere near the cost of the damage, something else that should really be addressed.

I get that people don't want to be paying anymore tax than we already are because it's ridiculous at this stage but it sort of seems like the right thing to do...? I mean people who's livelihoods that have been destroyed will have no choice but to join the dole queues so why not help them out to get back on their feet?

Answered your own question there tbh. The Universal Social Charge doesn't ring any bells, no? Maybe the recent Water Household Charge?

Another "Charge" for natural disasters would just be a national disaster.

PizzamanIRL

It's funny that you think every euro of tax paid actually goes towards what its meant to.

Karl Stein

TeddyTedson wrote: »

Yeah I suppose that's part of it but realistically these areas will be drip fed the cash they need.

There's no real need to push through a new layer of bureaucracy that would be a 'disaster tax' imo.

Hootanany

I will gladly lend the Government a sum at 8% per day same as they charge for late payments to help out

TeddyTedson

Czarcasm wrote: »

Answered your own question there tbh. The Universal Social Charge doesn't ring any bells, no? Maybe the recent Water Household Charge?

Another "Charge" for natural disasters would just be a national disaster tbh.

A lot of tax money is being paid out to cover our debt.
Not very helpful to people living in these areas.
Why should they suffer because of a previously inept government.

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

That's what income tax, vat, and property tax is for, in addition to home insurance!

HigginsJ

"i pay the homer tax, let the bears pay the bear tax"

Mint Sauce

Didn't they just create a local property tax, ie for local services. Ah wait, that just goes into the same big pot as every other tax. The same would apply to this as well, sure wasn't the levy on our wages suppose to be temporary, please don't go giving them any more ideas OP.

Cuddlesworth

TeddyTedson wrote: »

A lot of tax money is being paid out to cover our debt.
Not very helpful to people living in these areas.
Why should they suffer because of a previously inept government.

Who exactly are you talking about here?

The people that bought houses built on floodplains? The people that bought houses with a risk of coastal flooding? Or the people who had their patio furniture blown over?

TeddyTedson

A temporary 25% increase on off license sales would help with the damage.
I'm sure a few publicans out there would be happy with that too

Triangla

TeddyTedson wrote: »

A lot of tax money is being paid out to cover our debt.
Not very helpful to people living in these areas.
Why should they suffer because of a previously inept government.

The nexus of the argument is the possible creation of a Disaster Tax so that people in effected areas would not suffer.

These people would be in the same situation as the Disaster Tax would be pooled into the same black hole as the rest of the tax take.

The same delays would occur. Taxation isn't the issue, it's poor spending decisions. Local councillors & TDs are there so knock on their doors and badger them until they do their jobs.

Specialun

Isnt the tax just to cover the dail bar tab

TeddyTedson

I wish with the EU now that political parties HAD to run throughout Europe.
We could just elect a good German party in to sort ourselves out whether they wanted to do it or not :P
Now I'd have no problem employing a party with German efficiency to run the country.

ArrahShure

Wasn't it Caesar Augustus who introduced the first 'temporary' income tax? To pay for some war? 2000 odd years later, we're still paying it...

TeddyTedson

ArrahShure wrote: »

Wasn't it Caesar Augustus who introduced the first 'temporary' income tax? To pay for some war? 2000 odd years later, we're still paying it...

An FFer no doubt :mad:

Jimmy Garlic

TeddyTedson wrote: »

I get that people don't want to be paying anymore tax than we already are because it's ridiculous at this stage but it sort of seems like the right thing to do...? I mean people who's livelihoods that have been destroyed will have no choice but to join the dole queues so why not help them out to get back on their feet?

I didn't decide to live in a flood plain, an exposed coastal location, under a 150 foot tree, etc. Not my problem. That said, I have ALREADY paid towards any relief or damage repair and I would refuse to pay twice.

Doom

Is that you Mr Noonan?

Gran Hermano

Am sure they will use the property tax, the one we allegedly pay for local services from the local council, to subsidise those councils looking for extra funding.
Expect another tranche of cash transferred from the east coast to subsidise the south and west.

Baneblade

all for it if it only applies to people in at risk areas

c_man

Op, nobody's stopping you giving your own money.

Conall Cernach

TeddyTedson wrote: »

An FFer no doubt :mad:

Well he only became emperor because his great uncle was Caesar so he would be at home with a few parties in Leinster House.

Bog Standard User

why do people still buy houses on the coast or in low lying ground close to rivers, and then complain when the weather destroys their homes?

if you dont want your house flooded or to fall into the sea move inland on higher ground

TeddyTedson

TeddyTedson wrote: »

A temporary 25% increase on off license sales would help with the damage.
I'm sure a few publicans out there would be happy with that too

Promise me you'll never pursue a political career?