Charity founder Bart running for businesspeople and patients
CANCER CHARITY owner Bart Murphy has announced that he is running in the General Election.
Bart, who runs five charity shops across the country, including one in Wexford and another in Traceystown, said: ‘I am looking for all property owners to support me in getting the rates system changed.’
Bart, who hails from Foulksmills, said only 36 per cent of property owners pay rates. ‘63 per cent pay nothing – it’s almost criminal in a way. It’s totally unfair as big property owners can right it off as tax but this affects rural Ireland and the small people.’
Bart walked Wexford’s town’s main street last week and said he was saddened to see 33 businesses and offices closed.
‘Most countries in the world have a street tax where you pay on purchases in your businesses so for every €2 say, you pay 20c in tax. I turn over €10,000 a month and pay €2,000 in rates. That’s whether I make €10,000 or €1,000.’
He said he would fight for the street tax, if elected, adding that it should incorporate car tax and the TV licence.
On housing, Bart proposes that a Housing Commission set the amount of rent due as 94 per cent of low income renters can’t afford their rent.
Bart previously ran in the 2011 election in Kildare North with a campaign of keep Saint Luke’s Hospital open. He said his businesses raise thousands every month to assist terminally ill patients and yet he has to pay high rates. ‘They give people on Social Welfare a winter fuel allowance and yet when they are terminally ill they get nothing. If they would get a €40 grant it would take the stress out of it. It would be a nominal sum.’