Fine Gael willing to squander billions of euro to save face

Having already wasted 650 million euros on unnecessary domestic water meters, Fine Gael are now insisting on squandering a further 300 to 500 million Euros to complete an unnecessary and highly controversial job, using an excuse that private metering is the best way of preventing excessive use.  

However, they have heard from many quarters, including Scottish Water (see video below)  that District metering can deliver the same result for a tiny fraction of this cost.  

Rather than admit they got it completely wrong they are now hell-bent on a monumental, cynical face saving exercise.

This is not just shameful, it is bordering on CRIMINAL.

February 8th 2017 meeting of Committee on Future Funding of Domestic Water Alan Farrell, Fine Gael TD,  admits to hearing from all quarters how district metering can work effectively. Trouble was he was only 100,000 or so out on his estimate water meter figures.

Full Oireachtas Commettee meeting with Scottish and Welsh Water

World Health Organization blatant failure on radiofrequency/microwave radiation

This is a letter and petition sent by Olga Sheean to Dr Margaret Chan, Director-General,  World Health Organization on 30th January 2017.  The letter states

"The World Health Organization is failing the Earth’s citizens in the most blatant, destructive manner. In December 2016, a VOTE of NO CONFIDENCE in WHO and its EMF Project was initiated in response to the growing concerns among the millions of global citizens being harmed by radiofrequency/microwave radiation. The petition has been signed by thousands of individuals worldwide, with more adding their vote every day as they become aware of how WHO’s denial of the proven dangers has stripped them of their health, rights, livelihood, productivity and protection from their own governments. As of today, 30 January 2017, there are 2,003 names on the list (attached), with more being added daily. Details of the voting initiative are shown in appendix 3. Recognizing the significance of this growing discontent with your wilful neglect, and heeding the urgent call to protective action, are important first steps towards addressing an epidemic that threatens all forms of life on our planet. Nothing short of full implementation of the recommendations presented herein will resolve this crisis. Radiofrequency/microwave radiation is everywhere—constantly and increasingly emanating from cell phones, WiFi routers, cell towers and telecommunications satellites. It is proliferating unchecked and people are suffering

and dying because of it. Via its International EMF Project, WHO is supposed to be protecting us from the harmful effects of this radiation — radiation that we cannot see, smell or taste, even though it penetrates and affects every cell of our electromagnetic bodies. WHO is failing to protect its global citizens from this pervasive pollutant in four key ways:

         Olga Sheean

1. industry infiltration
2. intentional ignorance
3. denial of the science
4. disregard for humanity

This document provides details of these inexcusable failures and what urgently needs to be done to address them. It also outlines what WHO must do to reverse this destructive course—for itself and for the global citizens it is supposed to protect. One of the most crucial and urgent steps to be taken is the replacement of the head of the EMF Project, Emilie van Deventer (an electrical engineer with zero health credentials) with an independent, unbiased, medically qualified professional who has firsthand experience and knowledge of microwave sickness/electro-sensitivity and the many other devastating consequences, such as brain cancer, neurological disorders, DNA damage and infertility.

You can no longer claim ignorance or justify any further delay. Only one question remains, and what you do next will clearly demonstrate where you stand on this issue:

Are you committed to forever debating the science, siding with industry and postponing action, or are you committed to protecting our health? The world is watching and we are waiting for your response."

Olga Sheean

Download full document or sign petition https://olgasheean.com/who-harm/

WHO-Setting the standard for a wireless world of harm

Do Water Meters Reduce Domestic Consumption?

This 2010 study written by Dr Chad Staddon, University of the West of England, Bristol, England,  asking whether water metering reduces domestic water consumption is a very apt topic in light of today's 10/10 split decision of the Oireachtas Select Committee on the Funding of Domestic Water Services. 

In what was a controversial and heated conclusion meeting,  the Oireachtas Committee failed to reach agreement.  On the one side those favouring charges for excessive use which by the way would necessitate metering,  were 6 Fine Gael members along with Noel Grealish, Ind, Jan O'Sullivan, Lab, Grace O'Sullivan, GP, and Chairman Pádraig O Céidigh.  On the other side voting to abolish water charges and metering were 5 Fianna Fáil, 2 Sinn Féin members along with Paul Murphy, AAA-PBP, Thomas Pringle, Ind,  and Seamus Healy, WUAG.

Earlier in the day, prior to what was supposed to be a final meeting of the Oireachtas Committee,   Simon Coveney, Housing Minister, made a statement saying that he would not introduce legislation to permanently end charges citing EU 'severe fines' and advice from the Attorney General.  The minister's statement angered opposition political parties opposed to water charges and metering.  Fianna Fáil claimed that Mr Coveney was breaking a'confidence and supply' arrangement which ensures the minority Government's survival.   According to RTE News both Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael are to table position papers by Friday and the Oireachtas Committee will meet again next Tuesday.

 

Do Water Meters Reduce Domestic Consumption?: a summary of available literature

Study's Abstract
"At the present time 30% of UK households nationwide are on water meters and household consumption stands at approximately 150 litres/person/day (lpd), slightly more than Western European averages, but significantly less than North American or even Australian levels.  Largely out of concern for the long-term effects of climate change on water supply, but also out of the notion that metering is “the fairest way to pay”, the UK government is currently trying to build a consensus around the idea of legislating compulsory metering for the nation’s 28 million households. However, there is much confusion as to the actual objectives to be served by such a policy, estimated to cost in excess of £3 billion. This paper presents the best available current research on water metering around the world, with a special emphasis on European, North American and Commonwealth comparator nations. In summary, the research suggests that there is little evidence that compulsory universal metering can achieve either the water conservation or social equity goals articulated by the government. The author concludes that policymakers need to think much more carefully about metering technologies and the purposes they are intended to serve."