Water charges U-turn - Mr Ahern is spinning — yet again

In THE recent weeks when schools received huge bills for water services, they turned to the Government, which funds education. The Government insisted that the schools should pay the bills themselves as the country is committed to implementing the water framework directive.

This was introduced with the aim of promoting water conservation. The demand is essentially that those who use water should pay according to what they use.

This country got a derogation from that directive in relation to domestic water charges, but businesses and schools were to be levied. This is essentially an indirect method of payment, because businesses will inevitably pass on the costs to their customers.

In the face of mounting protests, the Government seemed to back off this week. It has indicated that there will be some kind of transition period over the next two years, with details to be worked out. During this period, however, there will still be some charges appropriate to the size of each school.

Politicians were trying to pass the buck last week by blaming Europe, but we are part of the European Union and, as such, are responsible.

Officials are due to meet to discuss the issues in the coming days and the cabinet will decide what to do at its meeting on January 4, 2008.

“The Taoiseach either showed leadership or desperation,” Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny told the Dáil yesterday. “I am not sure which.”

Bertie Ahern denied that he was doing another U-turn. He was just spinning.