Green Party welcome publication of report on future of water charges
Recommendations strike balance between conservation, protection of vulnerable and need for investment
The Green Party today welcomed the recommendations of the Expert Commission on Water Charges, saying that the measures outlined in their report were ‘sensible and fair’.
The recommendations of the Expert Group aligned closely with the Green Party’s own policy on water and their submission to the commission.
Speaking following the publication of the report, Green Party Leader Eamon Ryan TD said: “We welcome the recommendations of the Expert Commission, which in our view are sensible and fair recommendations, and hope that all parties can now work together to make a decision on water charges that is fair, affordable and prioritises the conservation of, and the investment in, our water and waste water services. The recommendations are broadly in line with our own policy on water, and who can argue against a charge on the wasteful use of a precious natural resource? We hope that the report can lead to some agreement in the Dáil on the future of water charges.
“The key issue is a referendum on ensuring the public ownership of water services. That must pre-date any re-introduction of charges. Once that constitutional protection is in place, the nature of the charging structure outlined in the report strikes a good balance between prioritising conservation, the protection of those who are vulnerable or have extra water needs, and providing the resources needed for the essential investments in water and wastewater infrastructure.
“Should we need to remind ourselves of the urgency of the necessary investment, just last week the EPA reported that raw sewage is still being discharged in 43 urban locations around the country. There was also cryptosporidium detected in the water supply in Millstreet in Cork last week. The water charges can has been kicked far enough down the road: it’s time to bring this debate to an end and put in place a system that’s fit for purpose.”