Sandra McLellan (Cork East, Sinn Fein)

Water is one of the most vital resources and we are obliged to ensure its protection. Sinn Féin is opposed to the introduction of water charges as a solution. Charging will only act as an extra tax. This comes at a time when so many families are struggling on a daily basis to ensure they can feed and clothe their children. They simply cannot afford to pay yet another unjust tax with no guarantee that the revenue gathered will be directed towards the water supply.

The question arises as to why the water infrastructure was allowed to fall into such a bad state during the Celtic tiger years when money seemed to be available for everything. This State had the revenue to undertake the necessary capital works to ensure water infrastructure was modernised, yet this did not happen. During the general election, the Labour Party Minister, Deputy Brendan Howlin, said his party was entirely opposed to water charges. Today, however, the Labour Party is backing this new tax.

A national strategy is required to deal with the need to increase capacity, the need to improve water quality and the need to repair the creaking water infrastructure that has been in place for many years. Evidence has shown that approximately 40% of water is lost through leaks in our water system. We fully understand the vital importance of conserving water and have made submissions on the introduction of dual flushing which, according to reports, would reduce consumption by 20 litres a day per household. We have made several recommendations on the issue of water provision including the introduction of district metering. This would allow for local authorities to monitor water usage and leakage at neighbourhood level. We are opposed to household charging and, therefore, metering as a means to measure usage on this basis.

It is evident this Government is out of touch with the public. Citizens simply cannot afford to pay yet another charge on their household. We in Sinn Féin believe that if this planned introduction of water meters goes ahead, it is more about the privatisation of the water sector and nothing to do with water conservation. We will resist this unjust tax all the way.

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