Press Release on Behalf of Dublin South Central Candidate Liam Coyne.
SD’s Liam Coyne rubbishes claims by Alan Kelly that water charges are not an issue with the electorate.
The Social Democrat’s Candidate for Dublin South Central has rubbished claims by Environment Minister Alan Kelly in media reports that water is not an issue with the electorate.
Labour’s Environment Minister Alan Kelly was widely reported as saying water charges and the utility Irish water are not a major issue with the voting public, and that people are more interested in other issues.
The abolition of both water charges and Irish water itself are core policies and beliefs of the Social Democrats.
“What the Minister says about water charges is not what we are finding on the doorsteps of Dublin South Central,” said Liam.
“There can be no doubt about it. Water is the number one issue as far as the people of this constituency are concerned,” Liam continued.
“The Minister and the Government are only kidding themselves if they believe the electorate is no longer angry about the whole Irish water fiasco,” he said.
The public is not being fooled by the Government’s spin on Irish Water. It has to go.
“Any of the monies raised by water charges are not being used to run or upgrade our water services. “
“Even if everyone was paying their water bill, and we have to take claims by the Minister that up to 80% of people are paying their water charges with a pinch of salt, the money only covers administration costs and the costs of installing the meters. ”
The Social Democrats policy is clear we want water charges scrapped and consigned to history. Irish water itself would also be abolished and turned into a public body. It should not be kept as a semi state body. It can never be turned into a private company.
“To ensure that we would have a referendum to amend the constitution in way that water remains the property of the Irish people and the Irish people alone. ”
“The massive costs already incurred by the taxpayer over the whole Irish water affair can only be described as a disgrace,” Liam said, adding that one can only fears what the outgoing Government and or FF will do with our water if they are returned to power.
“If the establishment parties win this election families and households could once again face the prospect of having to pay hundreds of Euro annually in water charges- or face having their water cut off.,” he said.
We in the Social Democrats give our commitment to scrap the water charge and Irish water, and we hope people remember this when they cast their votes on February 26th next.
Liam.
Ends.