Softly, softly policies on water have failed

NO issue has done more to undermine the credibility of our political system than the never-ending farce around water charges. No issue has done more to dissuade, competent, energetic and patriotic people from becoming involved in politics. 

The issue is that toxic, and its legacy may not be fully understood for maybe a decade. And, if the crass, dishonest behaviour of recent days, weeks, months and years continues it is unlikely that the issue of how we maintain water services will be resolved even in that time-frame.

Ever since Irish Water was presented to the country by its chief architect Phil Hogan, the project has been mired in controversy, poor planning, excess, plain old-fashioned ineptitude, and shameless political opportunism. How pleased the ennobled Mr Hogan must be that he can now dedicate himself to international affairs rather than have to get down and dirty in this little domestic squabble. If we valued accountability, Mr Hogan would not have escaped the consequences of his water charges performance.