Water is a basic ‘right’ and should not be dependent on wealth and the markets

In yet another rant, Anthony Leavy (Irish Examiner, Letters, 29 October) says the media is not condemning the “mobs who do not want to pay for anything”.

The reasons for the protests against water charges are varied. Some people object to the ham-fisted, arrogant and intrusive manner in which Irish Water is harvesting personal data. Others want to prevent the privitisation of water services.

I don’t believe there is anybody who “doesn’t want to pay for anything”, as Mr Leavy nonsensically says. Irish people have been paying for water through direct and indirect taxes, and they are being asked to pay for it twice over.