City and County Manager Conn Murray could not enlighten councillors on his opinion of the service level agreement between Limerick County Council and Irish Water when he was pressed for his views at this week’s meeting of the local authority.
Asked by Cllr James Collins (FF) if he was happy with the agreement, Mr Murray would only say that he was directed by the Minister for the Environment to to sign the agreement on December 31 last.
“I’ve signed the agreement. I will work with it, deliver it and honour it,” said Murray.
Cllr Kevin Sheahan (FF) said he believes Irish Water should be scrapped now before it “drowns us all”.
“There is serious concern among ordinary people who have been crucified for the last five years and they can’t take anymore. It’s been calamity after calamity. Is Charlie Chaplin running this catastrophic effort? We’re a laughing stock” he fumed.
Cathaoirleach John Sheahan (FG) commented, “Irish Water was born out of the Troika. If we can get out of it or not, I’m not sure.”
At last December’s budget meeting councillors expressed their concerns about signing €549 million worth of council-owned assets to Irish Water as they felt they were in the dark about the service they would be getting.
At this Monday’s meeting, Cllr Patrick Fitzgerald (Ind) submitted a notice of motion that the roll-out by Limerick Council to Irish Water would be put on hold until further information and details of the costs are known.
Cllr Liam Galvin (FG) suggested, “It’s too late to be making that motion.”
