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07/08/2015
Irish Water Criticised Over Attitude To Lead Piping
Sinn Féin Environment Spokesperson has branded Irish Water’s attitude to lead piping in the water system as "disgraceful".
Brian Stanley made the comments after the company sent letters to 26,000 households saying that they would not be removing lead pipes until householders took action first.
He went on to criticise the amount of money wasted on the introduction of water charges with a complete lack of proactive measures being taken by Irish Water.
Deputy Stanley said: "Once again, we are faced with the sheer apathy in which Irish Water hold the presence of lead pipes in the network. It is disgraceful how little concern they have for the presence of lead in the water supply. The government are only now coming to grips with the crisis with promises of a grant system for removal in the next budget. The government and Irish Water have both floundered since the introduction of water charges.
"The Water Framework Directive on which Irish Water and water charges are based is concerned primarily with the removal of contamination of the water supply. The removal of lead piping should be the first objective of Irish Water, not spending €86 million on consultants who told them to spend a further €22 million on sending out bills that a majority of Irish people have rejected.
"It is clear once more that Irish Water is not fit for purpose. They have admitted it will take ten years to deal with the problem of lead pipes and will not act proactively to remove lead. Sinn Féin would question the ability of Irish Water to complete the task at even this lengthy timeframe. The company must be scrapped and a public body that is committed to providing clean, fresh water set up. We don’t need domestic water charges, we need safe drinking water."
(MH)
Brian Stanley made the comments after the company sent letters to 26,000 households saying that they would not be removing lead pipes until householders took action first.
He went on to criticise the amount of money wasted on the introduction of water charges with a complete lack of proactive measures being taken by Irish Water.
Deputy Stanley said: "Once again, we are faced with the sheer apathy in which Irish Water hold the presence of lead pipes in the network. It is disgraceful how little concern they have for the presence of lead in the water supply. The government are only now coming to grips with the crisis with promises of a grant system for removal in the next budget. The government and Irish Water have both floundered since the introduction of water charges.
"The Water Framework Directive on which Irish Water and water charges are based is concerned primarily with the removal of contamination of the water supply. The removal of lead piping should be the first objective of Irish Water, not spending €86 million on consultants who told them to spend a further €22 million on sending out bills that a majority of Irish people have rejected.
"It is clear once more that Irish Water is not fit for purpose. They have admitted it will take ten years to deal with the problem of lead pipes and will not act proactively to remove lead. Sinn Féin would question the ability of Irish Water to complete the task at even this lengthy timeframe. The company must be scrapped and a public body that is committed to providing clean, fresh water set up. We don’t need domestic water charges, we need safe drinking water."
(MH)
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Following the publication of a report revealing "dangerous levels" of lead in the Dublin water system, Sinn Féin Spokesperson on the Environment Brian Stanley has said that the "huge amounts of money being expended on Irish Water and water meters would be better spent addressing the problems of leaks and outdated infrastructure".
27 May 2016
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Householders living in areas with a boil water notice must not be billed by Irish Water, Sinn Féin TD for Cork East, Pat Buckley, has said.
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26 November 2015
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25 August 2015
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14 January 2015
More Than Half Of Irish Water Customers Now Registered
More than half of Irish Water customers have been registered to date, the company confirmed. Some 760,500 households, or 56.3%, of those eligible for water charges are now registered.
More Than Half Of Irish Water Customers Now Registered
More than half of Irish Water customers have been registered to date, the company confirmed. Some 760,500 households, or 56.3%, of those eligible for water charges are now registered.
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