Taoiseach, we need clarity on water fiasco

SAY the words ‘Irish Water’ and one immediately bristles: the name conjures up images of protests, political cock-ups and threats of bills and more bills.

From its inception, it has been at the centre of more controversies than any project in our history. From the rushed legislation to set it up when Dáil debate was guillotined, to the scandalous payment of over €100m to consultants; from the €6,000 spent on ‘laughter yoga’ as a staff team-building exercise, to the awarding of bonuses of up to 19% of salary; and from Government dithering on the cost before suspending charges altogether, it has been a disaster.

It will be this Government’s toxic legacy. Arguably, we should be more energised about the USC that saps so much more from our pay packets, but that is an invisible levy. Installing water meters offered the perfect opportunity to protest, and the charges became such an easy target that almost 70% of TDs in the current Dáil ran on a platform of abolishing them. Even now, some Government ministers are saying those who did not pay should be pursued, while others say those who did should get a refund instead.

You would think the Taoiseach would bring clarity to the situation; instead, he was abroad, leaving opportunistic lieutenants to come out with soundbites they think will placate their own constituents. This is beyond farcical, not least because the latest proposal, that the cost of water be covered by general taxation, was mooted years ago and would have saved the country at least a billion euro.

It must end now. There must be no more mixed messages. If we cannot deal with an internal crisis, how will we manage the international fallout from Brexit.