Nip it in the bud: Irish Water blocks media

It was another bad day for Irish Water yesterday and another bad day for one of this Government’s centrepiece initiatives.

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Brendan Howlin said the company “should not pay bonuses” and even if he could not muster anything more forceful or convincing than a “should” it at least is a recognition of an almost universally held pubic view that even the suggestion of bonuses at the utility company is altogether premature.

There were clashes in Cobh, Co Cork, where some residents tried to block contractors installing water meters. Some protesters were arrested

A meeting in Cork between Irish Water and public representatives from Cork and Kerry was interrupted by protesters and the media was excluded at the request of Irish Water.

It is hard to know how long this charade can continue. Irish Water is a public company open to public scrutiny and to try to pretend otherwise is just another reason for nipping the organisation’s culture of hubris in the bud.