Water in Ireland now dearer than most European Countries-Brady

Sinn Féin County Councillor and Cathaoirleach of the Bray Municipal District John Brady has accused Fine Gael and Labour of again lying to the public and introducing water charges that will see water in Ireland becoming dearer than in most European countries.

Councillor Brady said “Before the elections, An Taoiseach Enda Kenny said that the average water charges bill would be around €240 per annum. It is now transpires that the average will be €278. Even that conceals the fact that many will pay vastly more than that after 2016 when the average costs to be recouped in order to run Irish Water will rise to €594. The charges that have been set for a litre of domestic water will see water in Ireland becoming dearer than in most European countries.  It will see most Irish families paying at least 20 per cent more than the Government claimed less than three months ago”.

The Sinn Féin Councillor continued “There is a lot of anger among the public in relation to domestic water charges and other stealth taxes such as the Property Tax. I predict there will be huge opposition to the installation of the water meters when Irish Water starts the installation process in Wicklow in September and Sinn Féin activists will fully support communities opposing that process”.

Brady continued “Another lie from the Government is the fact that the free water allowance for children will also been severely reduced according to figures by the water regulator. The Government previously said that up to 38,000 litres a year per child would be allocated - but that is to be reduced to 21,000 litres. It means parents will be given only enough free water for their children to take one shower and flush the toilet once each day. Everything else will have to be paid for”.

Councillor Brady concluded “The introduction of the water charges will unfortunately hit the most vulnerable the hardest; there are no free allowances for the elderly or low income families. The charges on top of all the others that have been introduced will hit local economies by taking more money from the pockets from people who don’t have any more to give. Wicklow Sinn Féin will continue to oppose the Water Charges and we have organised a public meeting on the issue which will take place on Thursday August 14th at 8 pm in the Royal Hotel in Bray.”