How they blew millions... and betrayed the trust of the people
When the Water chief admitted €135m would be spent on consultants, we were appalled. But that was just the tip of the iceberg. First, the MoS exposed a €7.4m mini-quango and it was shut down, then taxpayers money was squandered on bonuses, job guarantees, unsuitable meters... and laughing yoga. COST OF CONSULTANTS
Irish Water CEO John Tierney astounds the country when he admits that his company will spend €135m on consultants by the end of 2014. JANUARY 2014
LAUGHTER YOGA FIASCO
Irish Water pays €6,000 for 300 of its workers to attend a team building ‘laughter yoga’ session at Croke Park. JANUARY 2014
7.4 MINI QUANGO
The MoS reveals the existence of a €7.4m mini-quango connected to Irish Water – the Water Services Transition Office. Following an outcry, it is wound up. JANUARY 2014
JOBS FOR THE BOYS
The Government is forced to admit it had cut a secret deal to guarantee 4,300 Irish Water jobs for at least 12 years at a cost of billions to the taxpayer. FEBRUARY 2014
DODGY WATER METERS
It emerges the vast majority of water meters are unsuitable for areas where cars might drive over them, ie most of the country. APRIL 2014
MORE JOBS FOR THE BOYS
It emerges that as many as 150 people have been appointed to Irish Water without open competition. SEPTEMBER 2014
BONUS CULTURE
It’s revealed that up to 519 Irish Water employees could be in line for a bonus of up to 19% of their salary. OCTOBER 2014
MASSIVE CLIMBDOWN
Under threat of public revolt, the Government makes a huge climbdown on charges. A maximum payment of just €160 per household will now be applied. NOVEMBER 2014
PPS CLIMBDOWN
Irish Water bows to public pressure and scraps plans to collect this data. NOVEMBER 2014
GOALPOSTS MOVE AGAIN
Environment Minister Alan Kelly announced yet another final deadline for households to register with the company MARCH 2015
LETTERS TO THE DEAD
It emerges that Irish Water is sending bills to dead people. Spokesperson Elizabeth Arnett says: ‘I would like to apologise. It really is just unacceptable.’ APRIL 2015
EXCHEQUER BLOW
The EU states that Irish Water must remain on the Exchequer balance sheet until 2020. The ruling is a disaster for the Government’s plan that Irish Water would run itself. JULY 2015