INDEPENDENT councillor for Adare-Rathkeale, Emmett O’Brien, has criticised Sinn Fein and Fianna Fail as “late converts” to the Irish Water debacle.
Cllr O’Brien insists that Sinn Fein has “no credibility” on the water charges saga. He also accused Sinn Fein and Fianna Fail of wanting to make “political capital” out of Irish Water at last week’s special council meeting on the issue.
“As late as September last Sinn Fein produced the “axe the tax” policy on water charges which essentially advocates privatisation of water by the back door through so-called ‘equity investment’. Gerry Adams originally stated it would be irresponsible not to pay water charges but last week he and Cllr Quinlivan said they will not be paying their water charges,” Cllr O’Brien commented.
“This is double standards and double speak from a party who last Thursday at the Council’s Special meeting professed to stand with the ‘working man’ while that evening Gerry Adams attended a $500 a plate fundraiser in Manhattan,” he added.
The Pallaskenry man also feels it is “outrageous” that the new water utility is “charging twice as much as Limerick County Council for treated water”. He pointed out that Irish Water will charge €2.44 per cubic metre of water (1,000 litres), a massive 48.8 per cent higher than the €1.25 charged by Limerick County Council to farming families and businesses.
“Irish Water is also charging €4.88 per cubic metre to households that are on both the public water and public sewerage systems. Again Limerick County Council provided this service for 46.7 per cent less, at €2.60 per cubic metre. How can this semi state company justify this excessive cost?” O’Brien asks.
“From the moment the Government conceived the idea of Irish Water, it has been a shambles and the Government is treating the people of Ireland with contempt. Abolish Irish Water and give water back to the local Councils,” he concluded.
