The Buncrana Against Irish Water group is appalled at the latest correspondence received from Irish Water. James Quigley chairperson of the group said that after months of communicating with Irish Water this is their definitive answer, they do not have resources to meet with community groups. “ What does this mean? It is condecending, we don't matter, Irish Water are too busy, now go away. They have billions of euros to throw around. They have squads of contractors all over Ireland forcibly installing water meters against resident's wishes. They have the full backing of the government, local authorities and An Garda Siochana. But they don't have the resources to meet community groups”.
Mr Quigley said that anyone local will know what the Buncrana Against Irish Water group have been trying to do for the past couple of months in relation the subject but for those who do not know, they can read the article in www.buncranatogether.com 'Buncrana Against Irish Water and Moneymore Peaceful Initiative.
Below are some correspondence in full, in chronological order beginning with the latest one
Latest correspondence from Irish Water 25/3/2015
Dear Mr Quigley,
Thank you for your patience as we have investigated your query regarding the metering programme.
Unfortunately, Irish Water does not have the resources to meet with individual community groups regarding the metering programme. We have passed your request onto our contractors who are responsible for detailed planning of the metering works.
Irish Water is currently implementing Phase 1 of the National Metering Programme whereby water meters are being installed outside domestic residences on publically-accessible land. Water meters are being installed in line with the survey results as carried out by each Local Authority, and in compliance with the Water Services Acts 2007-2014. Under Section 22(1) of the Water Services Act 2007 (the "2007 Act"), Irish Water may appoint a person to be an 'authorised person'. Section 22(2)(c) of the 2007 Act then provides that "An authorised person may, for any purpose connected with this Act- ... (c) enter and inspect any premises for the purposes of ... performing a function under this Act". Irish Water has appointed representatives of each metering contractor to be authorised persons for the purpose of Section 22(2)(c) of the 2007 Act in order to install water meters and carry out associated enablement and reinstatement works.
Any properties that have been identified as suitable for a water meter and are scheduled for meter installations under the Irish Water works programme are notified a minimum of two weeks in advance of the meter being installed. The metering project team also endeavours to provide further notification at least 3 days in advance of the installation.
I hope the information above offers you clarification on the queries you raised. I apologise that we cannot be of further assistance in facilitating your request for a meeting.
Thank you for contacting Irish Water.
Yours sincerely,
Colum O’Toole
Customer Service Advisor
Uisce Éireann
Bosca OP 860, Oifig Sheachadta na Cathrach Theas, Cathair Chorcaí, Éire
Irish Water
PO Box 860, South City Delivery Office, Cork City, Ireland
Previous letter from Irish Water
From: Irish Water Customer Service
Sent: 09 March 2015 13:55
To: James Quigley
Subject: Your query regarding meter installation - Contact ID: 1790573782
Dear Mr Quigley,
Thank you for your email regarding the upcoming meter installation works in Buncrana, Co Donegal.
Please accept our apologies that all of your requests weren’t addressed during your initial contact with us. In light of this, I have passed your query about meeting with representatives of Irish Water to the relevant department and when further information becomes available a member of our team will be in contact with you. Your Irish Water reference for your query is 7104220597, which you can keep for your own records.
Thank you for your continued patience in this matter. We look forward to helping you.
Yours sincerely,
Gavin O'Neill
Customer Service Advisor
Uisce Éireann
Bosca OP 860, Oifig Sheachadta na Cathrach Theas, Cathair Chorcaí, Éire
Irish Water
PO Box 860, South City Delivery Office, Cork City, Ireland
Letter Sent from Buncrana Against Irish Water
Sent: 09 March 2015 10:52
To: Irish Water Customer Service
Subject: Irish Water Reference No 0399707382 Ruth McKenna
Irish Water Reference Number:0399707382
To Ruth McKenna
Customer Service Adviser
Uisce Eireann
Irish Water
9 Marth 2015
Dear Ruth McKenna
Thank you for your 4th March 2015 reply to our letter of 21 February 2015 asking for a meeting with Irish Water and GMC Sierra who we believe are the overall metering contractors. I notice that you have passed on our request to GMC Sierra, however, they have not replied to date.
Unfortunately your reply does not address our request as stated in our letter. We asked to meet with Irish Water as well as GMC Sierra. We feel it is a very reasonable and sensible request. We represent households in Buncrana who have no contract with Irish Water and who feel strongly that you should not be forcing water meters on them against their will for a number of reasons. We know you believe that the Water Services Acts of 2007 and 2013 give you the right to do this. However, we feel that under the Constitution and under various legislations we have a right to refuse your water meters.
I again ask you Irish Water in the interest of public safety and fairness to facilitate our request to meet with us in Buncrana to see if we can come up with a sensible compromise and I ask you to priorities this.
Yours sincerely
James Quigley
Chairperson Buncrana Against Irish Water
