Water tax by Fine Gael and Labour still in the pipeline

» John Hedges

An Phoblacht Editor

Brian Stanley says that Fine Gael and Labour TDs need to come clean on the level of water charges that will hit householders in years to come.

ENVIRONMENT MINISTER Phil Hogan’s declaration that he still intends to bring in a water tax on January 1st shows that the Fine Gael/Labour Government is dancing to Fianna Fáil’s and the Troika’s tune on water charges, Sinn Féin TD Brian Stanley (Environment) says.

Brian Stanley (pictured right) says that Fine Gael and Labour TDs need to come clean on the level of water charges that will hit householders in years to come.

He warns that initial bills will be measured but will be increased over time as the newly-formed Irish Water will operate commercially “and within a few years will charge full costs”.

He said that the authorities need to fix the broken water system if it really want to conserve resources rather than wringing more money out of households with a new tax.

“Water metering won’t fund or fix the leaks in the mains infrastructure where 40% is currently leaking from the mains system.”

The Sinn Féin spokesperson accused Fianna Fáil TDs of “talking out of both sides of their mouths” on water charges. Fianna Fáil again confirmed over the last few days that they do support the introduction of water charges but oppose Government plans to introduce them.

“People need to remember that it was Fianna Fáil who originally agreed with the Troika to the introduction of these charges for 2014 and Fine Gael and Labour failed to renegotiate the terms.”