Water charges will leave bitter legacy in communities that will last for years

I have been listening to the pronouncements of ministers and I have concluded that the sooner this circus, Irish Water, is dispatched the better for everyone. 

If the Government acts quickly and reverts to the system we had, they will save money, but the longer this fiasco goes on the more money it will cost the taxpayer.

Mr Kenny & Co. will make all sort of promises to try get this over the line but they are making unrealistic and unsustainable promises which I believe will only damn them more. The imposition of these charges has already created divisions in communities and hostility against the gardaí during the installation of water meters. These divisions may create bitterness in communities that will last for years. This situation will be exacerbated further if water pressure is reduced to homes and judgements are sought in the courts against already hard pressed families.

We are also now getting some factual information on average water consumption from people who have had water meters installed over a year now.

On current rates, with allowances, and being conscious of conserving water, estimated average bills for a family are multiples of figures that were being bandied about by the Government initially. Mr Kenny will have to listen to the people and stop this madness.

Ciarán Dunne

Ballintemple

Cork City.