Howlin rules out increase in water charges
Public Expenditure and Reform Minister Brendan Howlin denied the significant annual figure — which equates to a massive €15bn over the next 25 years — means a long-suspected fee rise is on the cards.
In a detailed strategic plan document outlining Irish Water’s plans for the next 25 years, the body said it will need €600m a year until 2040.
While the investment is significant, by that point Irish Water has admitted 20% of water will still be leaking from pipes.
Responding to concerns over the vast amount of money needed to run the operation at a separate strategic plan launch for small businesses in Ireland, Mr Howlin denied the €600m figure shows water charges will rise dramatically after the cap ends in December 2018.
However, Mr Howlin’s argument led to derision from groups opposed to the setting up of Irish Water after he claimed charges will not “necessarily” need to rise because a presumed long-term recovering economy will ensure more businesses exist, which will help pick up the tab.
Emphasising the Government has “set the charges until 2018”, Mr Howlin said “what will happen into the future is more about business” increases across the country.
He said the €600m figure will “not necessarily” be met by “an increase in charges but by volumes pressures” resulting from the fact more businesses will be in operation in the years to come.
A Right2Water spokesman said the stance is “undoubtedly a shaky response”, based on the presumption of a long-term, sustainable recovery and no future economic slowdown.
“If Irish Water is to pass the financial rules, it needs to take 50% of its income from business and household charges. They haven’t been following businesses, so undoubtedly household charges will increase after 2018,” he claimed.
The next Right2Water national day of protest will take place in Dublin city centre at 2pm on March 21. Latest opinion polls say 40% of people are still refusing to pay the fees.
Meanwhile, People Before Profit TD Joan Collins has condemned the “severity” of the sentences handed down by the High Court against five anti-water charge protesters yesterday.
She said the ruling, “taken in conjunction with the arrests of 29 people in Tallaght”, indicates a “new departure in the attempts to vilify protesters and weaken the mass opposition to these charges”.
Finance Minister Michael Noonan brushed off fears about his health yesterday
by thanking the media “for the concern” and questions about whether he is still up to
the job. To widespread applause at yesterday’s SME launch, the Fine Gael TD for Limerick City said that while he had “an intervention” for a bulging eye he has “fully recovered”, although the prominent bruising will last another “six weeks”. The surgery is the second procedure Mr Noonan has undergone in a year. However, he insisted that his ability to do his work has not been affected.
