Local campaigners say that the new report on water charges doesn’t go far enough.
In fact many say it is just another underhand way of charging people.
Campaigners plan to hold another major protest on the issue early in the New Year.
One of the main recommendations of the Expert Commission on ‘Domestic Public Water Services’ is that water should be paid for through general taxation.
Around half a billion euro has been spent on the project so far including the controversial installation of water metres.
The Minister with responsibility in this area Simon Coveney says he believes installing the metres should continue.
But people who use too much will have to pay:
However, anti-water charge campaigner and PBP member Nigel Gallagher says the report is predictable.
He says the installation of the metres should stop now and that money should be spent on improving the water infrastructure:
Liam Whyte of the Can’t Pay Won’t Pay campaign in Donegal says the report is a ‘sham’ and a sneaking way of still charging people for water.
However, he welcomes the recommendation for Irish Water to remain in public ownership and supports calls for a referendum to be carried out on this issue:
Independent Donegal TD Thomas Pringle is a vocal anti-water charge campaigner has also accused the Fianna Fail party of continuously changing its position on this issue:
Campaigners say they will ‘mobilise their troops’ next week with a view to another major anti-water charge protest early in the New Year.
The report will now go before a special oireachtas committee for consideration over the next three months.
