European Commission questions NI water charges decision

This is fourth in the series looking at articles relating to water charges in Northern Ireland.  The BBC article is dated August 22 2016.  It was published after Britain's EU referendum June 2016 but before Teresa May triggered Article 50 March 2017.  The point about timing is how would Brexit affect this EU pilot case or indeed Stormont's commitment to the EU Water Framework Directive.  Wouldn't it be interesting to find out the outcome?

We have contacted the EU Commission Representative for NI (incidentally in London) about any outcomes and as soon as we get their answer, if any, we will let you know. 

 

European Commission questions NI water charges decision

By Conor Macauley BBC NI
Agriculture & Environment Correspondent

The European Commission has asked questions about the Northern Ireland Executive's decision not to charge homeowners for water.

Stormont officials have refused to give any details citing confidentiality.

Homeowners will not face bills until at least March 2017, after MLAs ruled to defer charges.

Instead, the executive pays the cost of £280m a year to NI Water. Further legislation is expected to extend the policy.

However, the decision could mean that the authorities are not complying with European rules on water quality.

The EU Water Framework Directive envisages that users should pay for their water to promote conservation.

'Pilot case'

Officials in Northern Ireland make the case that people do that through their regional rate.

Northern Ireland is the only part of the UK not to levy a charge on homes, although businesses do pay charges.

That has prompted a debate with calls for the introduction of a charge on homes to pay for improvements in infrastructure.

Now, the European Commission has opened a so-called "pilot case" to look at the issue.

Essentially, this is a way for the commission to establish whether EU rules are being correctly applied.

It allows for the commission and member states to resolve any conflicts without resorting to infringement proceedings.

The Department of Agriculture Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) said it could not comment on the detail of the case.

"It is the subject of a confidential dialogue with the Commission and the release of further details could potentially prejudice the outcome of those discussions," said the department.

The two sides get about 20 weeks to try and sort out their differences.

Many cases are resolved without going to a formal hearing.

Source: BBC News NI, Aug 22 2016

Sinn Féin in Government - Preparing for Pritatisation in Northern Ireland

Third in our series on articles concerning water charges in Northern Ireland,  this is an extract from Sean McVeigh's 'Sinn Fein In Government'  published in 2012 in Irish Marxist Review.  Although we concentrate on the 'Privatising Water' chapter, we strongly recommend readers to read the full article downloaded from the above link.

PFI stands for Private Financial Initiatives, a way of creating "public–private partnerships" (PPPs) by funding public infrastructure projects with private capital.

Original photo of Stormont by http://www.flickr.com/photos/robertpaulyoung/

Sinn Féin in Government

Privatising Water

Until May 2011 Sinn Fein minister Conor Murphy was in charge of the department of regional development which oversees public transport, roads, and water infrastructure.  In preparation for full privatisation NI Water became a government owned company in 2007 (just before the Executive returned from suspension) with the aim of becoming ”self-financing” within three years through the introduction of domestic water charges.

When SF’s Conor Murphy took over the department in May 2007, he allowed NI Water to continue to prepare for the introduction of water charges on domestic properties by installing charging meters in every new house built in Northern Ireland. The fact that water charges have been continually deferred is evidence that both Sinn Fein and the DUP are fully aware that such a move would lead to mass resistance that could threaten the tribal basis of the Stormont regime. Murphy also continued the policy of handing over water infrastructure to be run by private companies under PFI deals. Under a deal signed with the consortium Dalriada Water Ltd in 2006 worth 110 million, the private sector will soon deliver 50.

When the deal was announced by direct rule ministers, the Stormont administration was in suspension and SF opposed the PFI contracts. But when SF got back in government in 2007 the party suddenly found merit in the PFI arrangements and Murphy presided over the transfer of large parts of the water network to the private sector.

The biggest company involved in Dalriada Water is California based multinational Aecom. This company specialises in taking over denationalised public utilities and has gas, oil and water interests around the globe.

When opening a water treatment facility in Antrim constructed with the help of Aecom in 2009, Murphy praised the PFI project saying it would ”deliver an efficient, cost effective and high quality water source”.

Sinn Fein has played a key role in shaping the activities of NI Water because Murphy as DRD minister appointed a number of directors of the company. One of Murphy’s appointments was Lawson McDonald, a director of Global Armour Ltd, which supplies body armour to the SAS and other British forces in Afghanistan. The SF minister also appointed Padraic White who as former Managing Director of the Republic’s Industrial Development Authority was lauded as one of the architects of the Celtic Tiger. White is husband of Fianna Fail senator Mary White. These are the people - put in place by Murphy - who have shaped the direction of NI Water and are moving the company towards full privatisation with the always present danger of the introduction of metered domestic water charges.

Northern Ireland Fisheries Minister Michelle McIlveen on Lough Foyle jurisdiction dispute

Northern Ireland Assembly Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Michelle McIlveen, answers Members' questions on the ownership and jurisdiction of Lough Foyle and Carlinford Lough, Dec 5, 2016

Here is what the Derry Journal wrote on Dec 8, 2016

Fisheries Minister Michelle McIlveen says the Foyle border dispute is impinging on the Loughs Agency’s ability to licence aquaculture effectively. The Minister expressed concerns when asked about the ownership of Lough Foyle by DUP MLA Maurice Morrow.

The Minister expressed concerns when asked about the ownership of Lough Foyle by DUP MLA Maurice Morrow.

Ballykelly, Lough Foyle, Inishowen. Photo by Andy Cameron.

The query was prompted by Secretary of State James Brokenshire’s recent restatement of the British position that the whole of the waterway is in the UK. She said talks were ongoing between the Irish and British Governments and the issue may be raised at their next meeting later this month in Dublin. She said her main worry she had as Fisheries Minister was the practical difficulties presented for licensing. “My immediate concern is that the ongoing dispute is impacting the ability of the Loughs Agency to effectively manage aquaculture activities, particularly licensing in Lough Foyle, and I am, therefore, anxious that it be resolved,” she said. “For that reason, during my first North/South Ministerial Council meeting in September, there was a discussion on how the ongoing dispute is adversely affecting the operational activities of the Loughs Agency. “The pressing priority for all those involved in the discussions should be to come to an arrangement that will allow the Loughs Agency to fulfil its role properly,” she added.

Miss McIlveen reiterated that the British claim dated back to Charles II’s 1662 Charter, which granted the waters, the bed and the fisheries of the Foyle to the Irish Society. Dublin’s position, she claimed, which hasn’t altered over the course of the last century, is causing problems. “There is a claim by the Irish Government by virtue of the fact that they have not accepted the position of the United Kingdom, which is obviously causing ongoing problems, not only with aquaculture licensing in Lough Foyle but with any future management that we would like to put in place, particularly for Lough Foyle and Carlingford.”

Source:derryjournal.com