Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Today we see the Water Services Bill 2014, An Bille um Sheirbhísí Uisce 2014, sponsored by the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government before the House. That the Government is still struggling to accept the reality that the people have rejected the proposed water charges and the current model of Uisce Éireann almost beggars belief. The hundreds of thousands of protestors who have taken to the streets in cities, towns and villages across the State did not march for Uisce Éireann-light; rather, they marched for the abolition of the Government’s water tax. Fine Gael and the Labour Party have failed to listen. They have failed to recognise that enough is enough. They have failed to recognise that, from its inception, Uisce Éireann has represented the worst of their failings as a Government.

We have seen obscene spending by the entity, where it appears little or no thought is given to the fact that the taxpayer has to pick up the bill. Last month RTE showed us that the installation of water meters around the country had cost approximately €100 million more than the estimate given by Bord Gáis. Even this week, it has come to light that Uisce Éireann is spending more than €81,000 a week on legal fees and that it has paid more than €5 million to law firms since it was set up in 2013. This follows the chief executive, Mr. John Tierney’s estimation that it would spend €85 million on consultants by 2015. These figures are hard to accept at a time when ambulances are not being replaced, even though 20% of the fleet is over eight years old and has over 400,000 km on the clock; when people with disabilities have difficulties in accessing basic services, and waiting lists for outpatient and inpatient care are spiralling out of control.

Some of the elements of the Bill deserve close attention. The Bill states a plebiscite of the people would be held to decide on the future of Uisce Éireann. Sinn Féin previously proposed that this be ensured by referendum and that the referendum be held in the coming months.

That is not provided for by this Bill. It rescinds the power of Irish Water to require the personal public service number, PPSN, of its customers. This shows the people have been vindicated in their concerns.

The Bill also provides for the introduction of a so-called water conservation grant. Eligible householders are to be provided with an annual water conservation grant of €100 which they can use to aid water conservation in their homes. This measure contrasts with the Government’s failure to invest in repairing the massive leakage from the water system that occurs before the water reaches citizens’ houses.

Any home that does not register with Irish Water by a date to be prescribed will be charged €260. What is this date? Will it change as the political winds change? I note the proposed establishment of a public water forum, which would have a role in reviewing and commenting on the various strategies and plans of Irish Water, including investment and water charge plans. It is bizarre that the Government proposes to listen to the people but only after the fact. I note the Minister would also decide on the composition of the forum. This would remove any teeth the proposed body might have and would leave it unlikely to fully act as an advocate for the poorest in society.

It is proposed that a dispute resolution service will be provided for unresolved complaints from customers of Irish Water. Why should the people have to wait for this body to be set up? The main complaint of the people is that they do not want this unfair water tax, and they are clamouring for change now. I saw this call for change as recently as Monday night this week, when I spoke at a public meeting in my home town, Monaghan. Those who attended the meeting came from right across the political spectrum. The clear demand from all of those who attended was for this proposed water charge to be abolished. My colleague who already contributed is correct in stating that among the number of those who attended were traditional supporters of the Government parties.

Once again, has the Government thought of the many people who have to use increased amounts of water due to medical conditions from which they or their family members suffer? As Sinn Féin’s spokesperson on health, I am disappointed there is as yet no clarification of the issue of subsidised bills or exemptions for those with medical conditions. As no substantive answer has surfaced, I must ask again if it is true that this list will not issue until 2017.

Neither has the issue of water quality been addressed. Does the Bill contain any provisions that guarantee that those who are provided with hard water and water with excessive lime content will be given due compensation for the damage this water, provided by Uisce Éireann, causes to domestic appliances such as kettles, electric showers and washing machines? People who live in hard water areas are already incurring excessive additional household costs as a result.

As I have said previously, the people have rejected the Government’s proposals and its Mark II "Water Tax Lite" because they are already paying for this public service entitlement. The water tax remains unacceptable to the citizens of this State, who will again demand its abolition at the rally outside the gates of Leinster House on Wednesday next, 10 December. The people have already shown they can force the Government to change its course. They will do it again, or Members opposite will face the consequences.

I call on the Government and Members of both Fine Gael and the Labour Party to listen to the people and fully abolish this water charge, which is yet another austerity tax. Any other response is to continue sticking one’s head in the sand.

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