Cork Workers’ Party Councillor Ted Tynan has accused the government of playing a cynical game of rumour and denial as part of a “softening up” exercise to prepare people for much higher water charges than originally stated.
Cllr. Tynan said that the issue of whether there would be a standing charge on water bills was a “red herring”. The real issue, he said, was the fact that these charges are unnecessary, have nothing to do with water conservation and are a prelude to privatisation of water services in this country.
“Water”, said “Cllr. Tynan, “ is essential to human life, wellbeing and hygiene. It is already more than paid for through central taxation as it has been for decades. The new water charges are nothing less than extortionary double taxation.”
“The standing charge issue is just further proof that water charges will cripple working class families and must be resisted and stopped. If we do not fight the installation of meters and these unjust charges then the sky is the limit on how high the prices will soar”, said the Workers Party councillor.