Meeting overflows with water charge criticism

THE introduction of water charges isn’t going to be popular and at the February meeting of Shannon Town Council, several of the members voiced their concerns.

 

Councillor Patricia McCarthy said she wouldn’t pay any bill based on assumed usage rather than actual usage, while others said that there should be a free allocation, before any charge be levied.

Anne Haugh of Clare County Council gave a presentation on the establishment of Irish Water and the steps that are to be taken in the coming years.

Independent Councillor Gerry Flynn said there are concerns that defective infrastructure won’t be repaired. He also claimed that water pressure in parts of Shannon can’t be increased due to “leaky infrastructure” and that there are concerns about the capacity of Castle Lake.

Councillor McCarthy said there will be issues if people aren’t billed appropriately. “I’m not paying a bill on assumed usage and I think there will be an awful lot like me.”

She said there would be problems with staff being seconded to Irish Water. “We know backfilling is not going to happen,” she commented.

Councillor Sean McLoughlin said in Shannon there are a lot of houses with shared water pipes and that billing could be “very unfair if one house is using a lot of water and the person next door isn’t.”

Councillor Tony McMahon said that people should receive at least some water free of charge.

“Charging for all water is wrong. If people abuse a supply of water there should be a charge but they should get an allocation free of charge.”

With regard to leaks, Ms Haugh said it was a resource issue. “I know the problems are there but we don’t have the resources or Ireland Inc doesn’t have the resources to develop the water services infrastructure.”

A number of councillors were critical of the appointment of John Tierney as head of Irish Water, with Councillor Mary Brennan claiming he already has “a fine, fat pension.” Councillors also criticised the decision to take councillors from local authorities to staff Irish Water, rather than people who are unemployed.