Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the opportunity to contribute to the debate on this important motion on water services and the right of all Irish citizens to access to a safe, clean and sustainable water supply.

We have learned in recent days of the €80 million consultancy controversy and the lack of vigilance by two Government Ministers in relation to water services. I do not agree with the cosy consensus among all the political parties, in particular the major political parties, on the need for people in this State to pay for water. I reject this notion because as citizens of this State we are already paying for this service through our high taxation system. For example, I purchased a packet of 20 cigarettes in my local shop this morning for which I paid €9.50, 76% of which goes to the Government by way of tax. Like many other people, I pay my taxes. It is the taxes we are already paying that should be used to pay for the provision of water services.

Many of us are let down by the quality of our water service, in particular the people of Roscommon who are being supplied with dirty water and the people in and around Dublin city in terms of the 40% of leaking pipes in that area. Last week, there was chaos in my neighbouring estate of Charlemont on Griffith Avenue in respect of the installation of water meters. Some 64 meters in my estate had to be removed and reinstalled. This Government has a brass neck in terms of trying to charge people for water. The current service is appalling. The Government needs to get its act together and to ensure the 40% of pipes that are leaking are repaired and there is sensible use of public money in relation to the infrastructure and development of our water services.

I call on the Government to put in place a national water investment programme to improve, protect and maintain supplies to homes and industry throughout this country.

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