Ministers at odds in school water row

DOES the left hand know what the right hand is doing?

Recent statements by Education Minister Mary Hanafin and European Affairs Minister Dick Roche on water charges in Ireland were in direct contradiction.

Ms Hanafin should know what is going on. When the water framework directive was negotiated in 1999, Ireland sat with 14 other member states in the EU Council of Ministers.

France managed to waiver water charges in schools as they are seen as charitable institutions. Ireland sought a derogation from charges for schools and homes. So why were Irish schools being threatened with massive water bills?

One consolation of the constant rainfall in Ireland is that we have a plentiful supply of cheap water. Was Ireland unable to obtain the derogation because it was forced to vote with countries with drier climates that have serious water problems?

Or was Ireland afraid of cutting itself apart from the rest of the EU if it pushed for a derogation? Mr Roche was being disingenuous by attempting to separate the Council of Ministers from Europe. The council is part of the EU as its main decision-making body.

Kathy Sinnott MEP

Ballinabearna

Ballinhassig

Co Cork