Pat Buckley (Cork East, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Despite the proposed suspension of water charges, the people of east Cork are still receiving their water bills in full, in the boil water notice areas of Whitegate, Cloyne, Ballinacurra and Ballycotton, to mention a few. In recent days, I have received a number of complaints from my constituents in these areas complaining that Irish Water is still issuing bills for water in and water out, despite the fact that residents in these areas were assured they would not be charged for water in. I would say that this is a failure.

In recent days, I have also received two separate answers from Irish Water in respect of a question that I and my Sinn Féin county councillor colleague submitted on behalf of the people of east Cork. It should be remembered that this boil water notice has been in place since January 2016.

Irish Water's response was: "Regarding water charges, where water is unfit for human consumption, i.e. where a boil water notice has been issued, or where a customer is subject to a drinking water restriction notice linked to the public water supply network, affected customers will receive a 100% discount to the water supply portion of their bill for the duration of the restriction which will be reflected in their next bill." Why are these customers still being billed for water in and water out? Is this another fail?

Another response from the company stated:

On each occasion advice regarding the Boil Water Notice was issued to local and national media. It was also published on the Irish Water and Cork County Council websites and all of those who are registered with Irish Water as 'priority' or 'vulnerable' customers living in the area were contacted by our team. Notification was issued to all elected representatives in the area.

Is it now the public representative's job to work as safety agents for Irish Water? This is another fail.

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