Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Simon McGrath's sculpture "Who Left The Tap On" at the Sculptures by the Sea exhibition in Sydney, Australia. Rob Griffith/AP/Press Association Images
Water Charges

Sinn Féin calls on Government to clarify water meter charges

Party spokesperson Brian Stanley has said any attempt to bill households for water meters will be “fiercely resisted”.

SINN FÉIN HAS called on Environment Minister Phil Hogan to make a full statement to the Dáil on Wednesday about the Government’s intentions to bill households for the installation of water meters.

The party’s spokesperson on the environment Brian Stanley said any attempts to pass the cost of the meters onto the consumer will be “fiercely resisted”.

The Department of the Environment confirmed today that the cost of service delivery will be shouldered by homeowners when metering is introduced next year.

However, a spokeswoman for the department said there is no estimate on how much this will be, stating the Sunday Times figure of €300 was “pure speculation”.

Commenting on the initial reports in the Sunday Times, Stanley said:

The news that the government wants to charge for the installation comes on top of mounting opposition to septic tank and household charges. The minister must have learned that people will accept any more stealth charges. The article is further evidence of the minister’s bad practice of government by spin and leak.

The Sinn Féin TD claimed that the story also undermines the report on reform of the water sector which is currently being drafted in the Dáil.

That report contains several recommendations on water metering and charges, he said, but the Sunday Times article reinforces the belief that the outcome is a forgone conclusion.

Minister Hogan must immediately clarify what is the government’s policy. He must take the first opportunity to come clean on this issue.

Speaking on This Week on RTÉ One, Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore said that no decision has been made on the arrangements for water meters, adding that the amount of money charged for installation has not been confirmed.

Fianna Fáil spokesperson for the environment Niall Collins told TheJournal.ie that the water meter installation charge will be just another instalment of “broken promises and deceit” from the current government.

He said the charge imposed will be part of its “new schedule of stealth and back door taxes on the country”.

Sinn Féin is opposed to the idea of charging for water but says it supports the upgrading of the water system.

Homeowners will have to pay for their own water meters>

Your Voice
Readers Comments
114
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.