Irish Water should be a long-term vision and not rushed through

The latest article by Juno McEnroe, ‘Irish Water: Utility a persistent unmitigated disaster’ (Irish Examiner, July 29) has stimulated reflection. 

The government plan to provide the country with an efficient and affordable water system is based on the wrong idea: ie, that Irish citizens would be the major investors in this initiative.

Various Irish governments waited too long t o develop a water service adequate for a modern and advanced country. Calling in a semi-private corporation to tackle this problem has proven to be wrong. This plan has failed at a national level and at a European level: only 46% of households have paid their bills. Imagine that happening with electricity or gas bills! And look at Eurostat’s reaction! As a result, Irish citizens have the same, or a worse, water system.