There is a simple, fair and efficient way to sort out the Irish Water problem

In the populist race to dismantle Irish Water a simple fix is being overlooked: dismantle Irish Water for the purposes of collecting water charges from individuals; however, keep Irish Water as the state body briefed with the task of securing safe and efficient water supply and sewerage disposal service from properties in Ireland.

Now. Increase property tax (a tax for the wealthy and privileged) by the amount required to run the water and sewerage service.

Make it tax deductible.

Then pass on this part of the property tax to Irish Water to run their services.

The amount charged could initially be tagged to the number of toilets/baths/rooms in the property.

Metering for quantity (as with electricity) could come later and landlords could choose to pass this on to their tenants (or not). Those in social housing would be protected as the landlords would not be allowed to pass on this charge.

This is fair.

Water charges existed before as rates and no one minded — they were a necessary evil like all tax.

Why were they stupidly removed by a former government?

To buy votes.

Alison Hackett

Crosthwaite Park East

Dun Laoghaire

Co Dublin