People Before Profit are opposed to paying twice for our domestic water service. For this reason, among others, we are opposed to paying an extra water charge. Water has traditionally been paid for through central taxation and it should continue to be funded in this manner. Historically, governments have underfunded the water network, but during the economic crisis the funding shortfall increased substantially. The political establishment used a hypocritical rhetoric about conservation, but they really saw water charges as a revenue raising device. People Before Profit rejects this logic.
The Right 2 Water movement defeated the proposed water charges. They forced the government to stop collecting the charge and even had to hand back money to those who had paid. This showed just how effective ‘people power’ can be.
However, we should remain on our guard, as the Fine Gael-Fianna Fail alliance will try to introduce water charges through the back door, in the form of ’excess charges’.
- We favour the removal of this ‘excess charges’ clause as it can be varied over time and can be used to turn water into a commodity.
- We want an increase of €400 million from central government beyond Irish Water’s existing plans. This should be used to build up our water infrastructure and sewerage treatment plants. This will ensure adequate provision of clean water. It should be funded through taxes on wealth and higher incomes.