Impending domestic water charges, no mention in election?

gurramok · 23-05-2007 9:55pm #1

Just remembered that Ireland is due to introduce domestic water charges in the lifetime of the next govt by 2010 and yet not one political party has mentioned it once in the election campaign.

Are the parties afraid of alienating voters by mentioning the dirty W word as the history of domestic water charges has been unfavourable??

Considering that a few councils are struggling to meet water needs and some have pollution issues, surely this issue would of been a priority on the agenda as we have uncontrolled usage with an ever expanding population?

From http://216.239.59.104/search?q=cache:INYF2gzAngEJ:www.euractiv.com/en/environment/eu-freshwater-policies/article-162260+ireland+water+eu+directive+2010&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=8&gl=ie&client=firefox-a

EU wrote:

By 2010, the directive also requires member states to impose a water pricing policy in order to encourage consumers to use water resources more efficiently. Pricing policies are also meant to recover the costs of water services, including those relating to the environment and the use of resources. Although pricing policies are established in many EU states, others have no tradition of water pricing

edanto · 23-05-2007 10:06pm

Yeah, I haven't heard a single mention of anything related to improving water infrastructure (like the wasteful water delivery system or full-to-bursting sewage plants) -it's not really a vote getter.

As far as the charges go, I'd be broadly in favour of them - if they were pitched at the annoyance level that worked well for plastic bags. Any higher and I'd get a bit pissed off.

Open Window · 25-05-2007 7:37pm

As long as they lace it with flouride I will refuse to pay and should we all expect the same standards most of our EU brothers & sisters enjoy.

http://www.nofluoride.com/