Writing off unpaid water charges would set a "dangerous precedent" - Simon Coveney

Minister Coveney says he is "not going to make a fool out of" people who have already paid their bills

Simon Coveney, Minister responsible for Irish Water

The Minister with responsibility for Irish Water says it would set a 'dangerous precedent' to write off the water charges people have not paid.

The Government is set to introduce legislation to suspend the controversial charges for nine months while the future of Irish Water and water charges are examined.

However, only 64% of customers are reported to have paid their water bill to date - with Simon Coveney admitting there was a 'fall-off' after the general election amid speculation the utility might be abolished.

Speaking to Newstalk Breakfast, Minister Coveney said: "We've made it very clear in our Programme for Government that people who have paid are not going to be disadvantaged versus people who haven't [...] When we suspend charges, what we want is to suspend charges and penalties for the nine-month period to take the heat out of the situation."

He said that it is view that Irish Water should be "pursuing people who haven't paid. When there are charges that people are legally bound to pay, I think it would set a very dangerous precedent for us to simply write them off. That is not what I'd be advocating."

He explained that Fine Gael wants to pursue people who haven't paid in a way that will allow them to afford the charges. However, he added that "I am not going to make a fool out of people who have paid their water charges because they believed it was the right thing to do, and they believed they had a responsibility to do that."

 

 

Irish Water's parent company, Ervia, has previously said that 64% of customers had paid the charges at the end of its fourth billing cycle, which covered services for the last three months of 2015.

According to Ervia, 975,000 customers had paid "all or part of their bills" by the end of March. 

However, company revenue fell dramatically as debate over charges intensified around the time of the general election. 

Money taken in from the fourth billing cycle added up to €33.4 million, compared to €42.3 million for the third, €38 million for the second and €30.5 million for the first.

Earlier this month, Taoiseach Enda Kenny's latest comments on water chargeswere described a 'slap in the face' to voters by Opposition politicians. 

Original article;  newstalk.com, June 9, 2016

Wednesday May 25, Dáil Eireann will debate a motion for the abolition of water charges

People Before Profit, Anti Austerity Alliance, Sinn Fein, Independents For Change, Social Democrats will support a motion  for the abolition of Water Charges.  They are calling for as many people as possible to gather outside the Dail   

People Before Profit in a statement

"On Weds 25th of May the Dáil will debate a motion by 39 TDs calling for the abolition of the water charge.

We need as many people as possible at the Dáil gates at 5pm that day to make sure they understand we voted for abolition not 'suspension'.

People power made water charges the issue of the election- let's make sure they hear us loud and clear on Weds May 25th!

Abolish the charge!

Revealed: Finian McGrath says he will pay water charges

 

Minister for Disabilities Finian McGrath is to pay his water charges after days of controversy, independent.ie understands.

Finian McGrath arriving for the Cabinet meeting at Government Buildings yesterday (Picture: Tom Burke)

Mr McGrath has faced calls from his ministerial colleagues to pay the bill given his elevation to Cabinet.

He sought advice over the issue from Attorney General Máire Whelan.

However, it’s understood Mr McGrath has now told colleagues of his intention to pay his water charges.

Sources say he was concerned the issue was becoming a distraction from his brief.

Mr McGrath admitted this week that hasn't paid his charges because he is opposed to Irish Water and the way charges were implemented

Labour deputy leader Alan Kelly had criticised the Dublin North TD after he revealed he did not pay the charge.

In a statement this evening, Mr McGrath said the “manner in which Irish Water was set up and its approach remains personally unacceptable”. Mr McGrath said he was “deeply sceptical about the motives and the ability of the service to deliver”.

However, he said that a failure to pay the water charges “ will become a significant distraction to other important work and I’m determined that this will not be allowed to happen. 

“To that end, I will now regularise my situation with Irish Water and pay my charges."

 

The full statement of the Minister of State for Disability Finian McGrath

"The manner in which Irish Water was set up and its approach remains personally unacceptable to me. 

I’m still deeply sceptical about the motives and the ability of the service to deliver.  There are also affordability issues too and I certainly felt there was a lack of insight demonstrated by the previous government as regards people’s everyday financial struggles.

There are many examples of this including leaving families to their own devices as regards replacing lead pipes in their homes and not taking into account the significant additional water requirements of many families who have members with a special need requirement.    

However I recognise that recent government negotiations which I was involved in have brought forward a mechanism to review the provision of water and its infrastructure.

 It will be crucial for the review to take into account the positions of people who have paid their charges as they should not be disadvantaged.  The issue will be argued on the floor of Dáil Eireann at which point a democratic decision will be arrived at.

I have fought for many issues over the course of my career but none more so than the issues facing our country today including homelessness, health and care of the elderly, cystic fibrosis, education, small businesses and of course rights and services for people with disabilities as well as many other issues. 

I now find myself in a position where I have the opportunity to oversee real development and policies in our areas of need.  I have a responsibility to try my best to deliver for the people who are relying on me in these areas.  I know that priorities must be set and I do not believe that my not paying the water charge at this stage will greatly alter the situation for Irish Water. 

The debate has moved on and it will be a matter for Dáil Eireann in due course.  It is clear to me that not paying the charge will become a significant distraction to other important work and I’m determined that this will not be allowed to happen.  To that end I will now regularise my situation with Irish Water and pay my charges."

Original article: www.independent.ie