Mullingars municipal district members unanimous in support of motions slamming irish water

All 13 members of Mullingar Municipal District, including councillors from the government parties, have called for the disbandment of Irish Water.

Four separate motions were on the agenda for the Municipal District meeting yesterday, Monday afternoon, submitted by Cllrs Aidan Davitt, Una D’Arcy, cathaoirleach Ken Glynn and Cllr Susan Clarke.

Cllr Davitt’s motion called for the abolition of Irish Water and the reinstatement of water services; Cllr Glynn’s motion proposed that the council support a motion of no confidence in Irish Water, Cllr D’Arcy’s call was for the government to immediately reverse domestic water charges and recognise both that Irish Water is not fit for purpose, and recognise the widespread anger towards Irish Water and the government.

The motion by Cllr Sorca Clarke was that the government prevent Irish Water for any further excessive spending of taxpayers’ money, including the proposed further €35m on the use of external consultants in 2014 and to redirect the cost of financing the installation of meters towards fixing the massive leakage and interruption to supply issues.

Cllr Aidan Davitt described Irish Water as the largest quango in the state before going on to complain of “the arrogance of those people to pay themselves bonuses” at a time he said, when 45% of the water is unaccounted for. He said there were other financial options, such as the take from next year’s proposed disposal of the state’s interest in the Irish banks, which could bring a yield of up to €10 billion.

Cllr Una D’Arcy praised the protesters who marched in the last two weeks for their “courage and determination”. She was disappointed over suggestions that there was ‘a sinister fringe’ involved and said this was not what she witnessed during the protest.

She said the water charges were “a stealth tax, a double tax”, and, “people don’t trust the charges coming down the line”.

She said if there was an interest in water conservation there could have been promotion of grey water systems.

Cllr Ken Glynn also praised those who protested: “Anybody who stands and speaks their mind and stands up for themselves is to be admired,” he said. He added that there were a lot of inefficiencies associated with Irish water. “As someone who comes from a sales background, the last thing you can do is sell someone something that is faulty,” he said.

Cllr Glynn said he had sent back his form to Irish Water, “but if I knew then what I know now I wouldn’t have sent it back”, he said. He described as “cheek” the Irish Water plan to pay bonuses and said this was the last straw for many people.

Cllr Sorca Clarke said it was her strongly held belief that water is not a commodity and that neither was people’s personal information. She said the charge was never about water conservation and said the repair of pipes should have been carried out. “In its current form Irish Water is tarnished beyond repair and must go,” she said.

Cllr Peter Burke said that the protest march represented democracy in action. “One big fear is that people do not know what the charges are going to be,” he said. Cllr Burke remarked that he had always worked in the private sector and that in the private sector consultancy fees such as those incurred by Irish Water would not be paid.

He was critical of the government claim that the Revenue Commissioners would collect monies due to Irish Water, pointing out that Revenue do not collect other utility fees.

Cllr Mick Dollard said he had no confidence in Irish Water and he was against any suggestion that there be a referendum on the issue.

Cllr Avril Whitney said she had no problem supporting any motion of no confidence in Irish Water. She said the cart had been put before the horse.

Cllr John Shaw supported all four motions. “A message should go strongly from this council we’re not happy and have no confidence in Irish Water,” he said.

Cllr Andrew Duncan said that when money was being given by a past government to Eamon Ryan’s Green Party proposals, it would have been wise to have invested in the water infrastructure. “Irish Water has alienated the entire public,” he said

Cllr Paul Daly said Irish Water was a fiasco. He had recently had to spend 20 minutes on the phone to a woman in Irish Water trying to convince her Tyrrellspass was in Westmeath.

Cllr Paddy Hill remarked that he had always been opposed to the establishment of Irish Water, which represented the centralisation of another service. He said it was “ludicrous” and that there is total confusion.

Cllr Johnny Penrose also supported all four motions, as did Cllr Frank McDermott, saying he was disappointed a the conduct of Irish Water and over the proposed bonuses.

He also remarked on a separate note that the meters have GPS systems fitted and if removed by the so called “meter fairies”, as reported in last week’s Westmeath Examiner that the question would be who would replace these meters and who would pay for this.