Pay cannot be kept off limits - Irish Water

It is entirely understandable that any minister would want to keep clear water between themselves and the deepening mess at Irish Water.

However, yesterday’s hand washing by Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Brendan Howlin in the Dáil, when he said that the Government does not have control over pay in commercial State companies, is precisely the kind of patronising dodge, the kind of facetious filibustering this Government was elected to confront and eradicate.

Mr Howlin’s response may, on the face of it, seem entirely business-like and appropriate, but in a society where too many people have grown weary of watching one gravy train after another pull away from accountability, this detachment, this convenient excuse no longer holds water.

Irish Water is a monopoly, it has no domestic competitors so it’s not as if it faces competition for staff or for customers. It is entirely owned by Government — us — and was entirely funded by Government — us— to renew and provide water services.

In that context the idea of commercial independence seems utterly preposterous and the idea that it is beyond the reach of Government — us — is offensive. Mr Howlin needs to remember he is a minister for all the people not just those hiding behind the commercial independence anachronism all the while thumbing their noses at those who fund the quango.