Green party meet about water charges

THE Shannon Green Party recently held one of their first public events, a meeting on the topic of the introduction of water charges.
Gerben Uunk lives in Hurlers Cross and is involved in the local branch of the Green Party. He said people should get a certain amount of water for free, before charges kick in. “There should be an allowance, where people are allowed to get a certain amount of water for free. Also, water meters need to be in place and if you use less you should get a smaller bill,” he said.
He said he was unsure how existing proposals for charges had been arrived at.
Mr Uunk said that although the party has been hit with a drop in support nationally, they are hopeful of building up a strong party unit locally. “We have a few members at the moment and we are trying to get it up and running,” he added.
He said the local organisation is planning to carry out a survey on the take-up of the Bike to Work scheme in the Shannon Free Zone.
The meeting was attended by Councillor Greg Duff, a sitting town councillor and member of the Labour Party. He said he doesn’t want to see another charge being forced on people who are already struggling.
“What I said at the meeting is that water charges can’t be looked at by themselves. There is a whole pile of cuts that are affecting the lowest paid and those on social welfare. My attitude is that the people who will be most affected can’t take anymore.”
He claimed the need for water charges would be largely offset if the existing network was repaired.
Councillor Duff said people who had been responsible for the economic collapse had faced no sanctions, while he added he didn’t agree that all sections of society are culpable. “I don’t believe this claim that we all partied during the good times but those that can least afford it are being asked to pay now. Some people who are being hit by the property charge can’t pay their mortgages and I think we can’t look at these charges in isolation,” he concluded.