Protesters: U-turn on charges a con trick

A campaign group has claimed Irish Water’s entire "economic viability" will be put at risk by Government plans to cut fees and delay customer bills — unless future price hikes have been secretly planned.

Union officials behind the Right2Water protests issued the stark warning yesterday, insisting it was proof the high-profile U-turn was a “con trick” to convince people to register before prices surge after an expected fee-freeze ends in 2018.

Speaking at a press conference ahead of the group’s next national protest — planned for outside the Dáil on December 10 — Mandate general secretary John Douglas said campaigners must not be fooled.

Insisting the suggested cut-price figures do not make sense as it will leave Irish Water with a shortfall in funds, he said if no future fee rise has been secretly planned, the firm may be not have enough funds to operate.

“The plan that’s been leaked really calls into question the economic viability [of Irish Water],” said Mr Douglas.

“The concessions are an attempt to stifle people power. They are a bribe to try and deflate the Right2Water campaign.”

While Irish Water declined to comment, as the new registration deal has yet to be officially revealed, the expected changes will leave a hole in the firm’s pockets.

Under plans announced earlier this year, Irish Water was expected to raise €300m in 2015, assuming 100% registration nationwide.

However, due to the reductions, expected to involve a two-tier rate of €160 for a single-adult household and €260 for a two-adult-or-more household, which will be reduced by a €100 allowance to all households, Irish Water’s annual income level will now be closer to €100m.

The three-month delay on fees, which is also expected to be announced today, will mean the 2015 rate will be closer to €75m, even with complete compliance.

While Irish Water has confirmed bonuses will not be paid this year as planned and will be independently reviewed for 2015, this is unlikely to fill any gap.

Meanwhile, Right2Water officials have told anyone who cannot “restrain themselves” to stay away from the protest on December 10.

The group was not involved in Saturday’s incidents in Jobstown, but was behind last month’s 300,000-strong arrest-free marches.

Insisting “anger is not a policy”, Unite official and campaign member Brendan Ogle said “anything other than peaceful protest will damage this campaign.”

“We understand people are angry at six years of austerity, but anger is not a strategy and anger is not a policy.

“We respect your anger, but you must restrain yourself. Peaceful protest is the only way; peaceful protest is what got us this far.”

The December 10 event is expected to include speakers from Detroit in the US, where water utilities have been privatised, leaving people “no water to wash, drink or clean food to eat”.