13 February 1997 Edition
Equality for water charges
Sinn Féin Ard Chomhairle member and Monaghan county councillor Caoimhghín O Caoiláin wrote yesterday to Dublin Government Environment Minister Brendan Howlin demanding equality of treatment for households throughout the 26 counties using water from private supply schemes.
Councillor O Caoilain told An Phoblacht that he was writing to the Minister to protest at the inequities of his provisions for removing charges for domestic water supply. He pointed out that many households currently get their water from private schemes where they pay for a quality of water supply that their local authority just cannot guarantee.
Mr Howlin wants to bring these schemes under local authority control ignoring the voluntary efforts of the communities that run these private schemes. Councillor O Caolain has called for £90 per annum subsidy per domestic household paid directly by the Department of the Environment to the trustees of each water scheme.
Councillor O Caoilain told An Phoblacht that he was writing to the Minister to protest at the inequities of his provisions for removing charges for domestic water supply. He pointed out that many households currently get their water from private schemes where they pay for a quality of water supply that their local authority just cannot guarantee.
Mr Howlin wants to bring these schemes under local authority control ignoring the voluntary efforts of the communities that run these private schemes. Councillor O Caolain has called for £90 per annum subsidy per domestic household paid directly by the Department of the Environment to the trustees of each water scheme.