gladrags wrote: » Divisiveness. Public sector versus private sector is the prime example.Sections of the media heavily promote this. Although the water issue appears to have gone some way to garner a consensus. Do not know exactly why.
dxhound2005 wrote: » It's not a consensus. On our little poll here, in which I have not voted, 27.67% 158 people say they support water charges and will pay. Another 22 ish % will pay eventhough they do not support water charges. That is 50% going to pay months before any bill is sent out. What we have is a temporary coalition of the selfish. The only motivation for the campaign is the hope that the selfish have that they can continue to get water free at the point of use and let other taxpayers bear the burden. In Dundalk the so called protests have been minimal. Where they did turn up they were sent out by a paramilitary organisation. No ordinary working person would have anything to do with them. Four of them were arrested, not for the first time in their lives.http://www.republicanunity.org/rnu-dundalk-warn-of-possible-state-agent-undermining-of-anti-water-meter-protests/
Irish Steve wrote: » What is starting to emerge is a group of people who don't have a problem with water charges as such, because they understand that water is not free, but they are very UNhappy about the way that IW is going to be operating, and the manner in which it has been set up. They also are not happy that too many people with poor track records in other parts of the public service have been parachuted into IW. I see meters and charging as being the only way to get people to value water. The meters mean that waste will be reduced, we might not like it. but it's surprising how many people have leaking taps and WC's that are responsible for a large leakage, and charging also means (if the snake oil salesmen are to be believed) that proper funding for water and waste water will be ring fenced. Removing water from direct political influence (interfering) can only be a good thing, which means that in time it has to be taken completely away from the local authorities as well, and while I do understand the comments about the media inspired public v private sector split, having worked in both, I can fully understand how some aspects of that split are there, and while things may have improved as a result of austerity, there are (unfortunately) still a lot of issues in the public sector that remain to be addressed, but they are not the subject of this thread.
dxhound2005 wrote: » there won't be a word about it this time next year.
dxhound2005 wrote: » Which could be summed up for most debates as there won't be a word about it this time next year.
dxhound2005 wrote: » As someone who is probably around the same vintage as yourself, I have perhaps surprisingly not been infected with the widespread cynicism which pervades. I don't necessarily ascribe an ulterior motive to anyone involved in trying to take money off me. I come from a background of abject poverty (no exaggeration) and I only ever have had moderate means. I tend to take the long view and the wider view on things. Which could be summed up for most debates as there won't be a word about it this time next year.
Phoenix wrote: » I see they are introducing call out charges in Ireland now whilst they are standard here in Calgary I can see why people are angry over these charges considering how bad the water distribution system is in general
UCDVet wrote: » I tried to sign up via the website - but I'm not sure how I'm supposed to know where the water is supplied from or where the water goes. I sent them an e-mail, but no response after a week. I'm not a plumber and I wasn't involved in the building of the home. Surely, Irish Water should know if they are supplying my home or not, if they are going to charge me for water, right?
gladrags wrote: » To be fair, it could well have been private sector with poor records. In effect their is little difference in both, as they are equally contaminated by the same self centred "ideology".
From past experience, IW has all the hallmarks of a privatised version of the HSE. No accountability, highly controversial methodology, and a lack of empathy.
waking dreams wrote: » Unless you can back up that statement with figures and %'s your point is null and void. What does a "pittance" equal?
LowOdour wrote: » Could someone answer this...if I don't complete and return the form will the set/assesed charge include both a cost for water supply and waste water. We are reluctant to give any info to IW but we are only entitled to pay water supply as we have our own waste system and wouldn't want to be paying that extra charge
dxhound2005 wrote: » I'm looking at their booklet. It says: Are you a customer of Irish Water? Four options for water supplyPublic Water Main Group Water Scheme Private Well Rainwater Harvesting System Three options for waste water disposalPublic sewer Septic tank Other Wastewater Treatment System. You are a customer if you indicate Public Water Main and/or Public Sewer. Any other combination, you are not a customer. If you are on a Group Scheme you will be paying someone for that at present.
mikom wrote: » Prepare to puke........... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AX-Rt7JIhIw
_Kaiser_ wrote: » Kenny REALLY has zero charisma and public speaking ability. He spewed the same shyte in the run-up to the last GE.. the difference is that we were so jaded and disgusted with FF's mismanagement that we figured that he COULDN'T be any worse! How wrong we were - ironically with FF you at least know exactly what you're getting! Politics in this country is so broken I don't know where we go from here. A "none of the above" option might be a start though - maybe then we might get genuinely new parties and new ideas (not just FF/FG/LAB/PD cast-offs)
Skylinehead wrote: » Ok, I'm not going to go into detail, so I'll do some basic maths. TD wage 85k x 166 = 14m Senator wage 65k x 60 = 4m odd So 18m, 20m I'd imagine would be the max when you take ministers into account. The deficit is about 2.3 billion. So Dail wages come to 0.86% of that. Or if you prefer, 0.01% of our debt. Either way, it's a drop in the ocean when it comes to our finances. They could drop their wages as a goodwill gesture (as if), but don't pretend that it would make a difference.
listermint wrote: » Excuse me if this was posted already, But it now appears the level of bonuses has been leaked thanks to some detective work by John Burke RTE finally taking noticehttp://www.rte.ie/news/2014/1019/653388-irish-water/9% award for 'needs improvement' Is this the type of crap we are paying for ?!?https://twitter.com/JohnBurkeRTE/status/523832897372172289/photo/1https://pbs.twimg.com/media/B0UHPQ9IMAAHH2R.jpg:large
_Kaiser_ wrote: » That's unbelievable! You don't meet your targets and you STILL get a bonus?? :eek: It's on RTE now - which can only mean that IW is doomed in my opinion given the openly critical way in which they're presenting this report
listermint wrote: » Excuse me if this was posted already, But it now appears the level of bonuses has been leaked thanks to some detective work by John Burke RTE finally taking notice
Minister for Foreign Affairs Charlie Flanagan, has said there are "real and serious issues" regarding the structure of Irish Water, the manner in which the company was set up, and its communications strategy. Asked if he had confidence in the management of the utility, Mr Flanagan said he hoped Irish Water could ensure it would be able to deliver a service to the public, and deal with the "many outstanding queries that are currently an issue" for the company.
mikom wrote: » Serious vote of confidence below.........