The Workers’ Party have condemned Friday’s confirmation from the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities (CRU) that excess water charges are to be introduced from 2019.

Speaking on the matter, Workers’ Party representative Séamus McDonagh said:

“We have to assume that this is a way of introducing water charges by the back door, plain and simple. There is simply no other rationale for it.

“Financially, the administrative cost of chasing after individuals considered to be using excessive water will be enormous. This is compounded by the fact that a majority of homes do not have water meters. In addition, many of those high water users may turn out to have legitimate reasons, for example medical conditions, for using such a high amount of water.”

Mr. McDonagh said that environmental concerns were simply a fig leaf for the true motivations of government in introducing the charges, saying:

“The current government has shown minimal concern for the environment. It has failed to meet European carbon emissions targets, and has done nothing to invest in things such as public transport or renewable energy, which could make a genuine difference to our environmental footprint.

“So, to suggest that these excess water charges have anything to do with environmental concern is misleading at best. The environmental argument is yet again being used – misleadingly – to force through what is simply another tax on workers.”

Mr. McDonagh said that Kells Right2Water activists had shown themselves willing to do everything necessary to resist water charges – and this would not stop now:

“Kells Right2Water are ready and willing to take back up the fight against water charges. The government lost this battle badly last time around. They will be met with the same resistance if they push ahead with excess water charges, and they are foolish to waste their time attempting to force through a failed policy once again.”