We’ve paid double tax on water for 50 years

I wish to reply to a letter by John Mallon, of Mayfield (Irish Examiner, October 16).

I would like to inform Mr Mallon that I too have lived in the countryside, as have my parents and as my grandparents did — the only difference is that I, and my parents, have been paying for our water for the last 50 years via the electricity that runs the water pump and to maintain the piping and servicing.

Also, there are several local water schemes in the countryside where people are paying for the water that is supplied to them.

If Mr. Mallon thinks that Irish Water is a scam to double-tax him, then we have been paying double tax for the last 50 years, as we also pay our income tax and VAT and the myriad of other taxes to which he refers.

Teddy O’Mahony,

Gurteen,

Bandon,

Co. Cork.