The Workers’ Party have criticised Minister Eoghan Murphy’s renewed proposal to remove water services from local authorities, stating it appears to be nothing more than a pretext for job losses.
Responding to reports that Minister Murphy had brought the proposal to Cabinet last Thursday, Cllr. Ted Tynan, Workers’ Party, said:
“Minister Murphy’s proposal to remove the last elements of water service management from local authorities is remarkably short on detail. It gives no rationale for the decision, beyond vague references to the recent drought – which is a totally separate matter.”
Cllr. Tynan questioned the rationale for job losses at a time when greater investment in Ireland’s water services are projected:
“In fact, the only detail we have received is that the move will be accompanied by job losses in local authorities, and that Irish Water projects that the restructuring will lead to savings of €70 million.
“How is it that, at a time when so much vital work is required in Ireland’s water infrastructure, job losses are possibly being contemplated?”
The Workers’ Party councillor concluded:
“It seems to me that these savings are likely to come by destroying good, well-paid jobs and replacing them with cheaper – and less – labour. As usual, this will run down the quality of our public service, leaving it vulnerable to further privatisation efforts down the line.
“The Workers’ Party will work closely with trade unions against any job losses in this sector.”