Contrary to what this government would have people think, Ireland does indeed have an exemption from domestic water metering and charging as defined in the EU Water Framework Directive (Article 9.4). This was brokered by the Irish government back in 2000, as a result of the massive and successful resistance throughout the 1990s to the attempt then to impose water charges, forcing the government of the day into a full retreat.
Today we are faced with a minister, Alan Kelly, who intends to surrender this hard-fought for concession for no reason other than to please the Troika, and to ultimately subject our water provision to market forces through privatization. He is under no obligation to do so, and has until January 1st to renew the exemption for another 7 years. We need to make it clear to him that he must renew this exemption on our behalf, and has no authority to do otherwise. Please contact your local representatives, and Alan Kelly himself ([email protected]), to put pressure on them to respect the will of the people, and please attend the massive protest at the Dáilthis Wednesday December 10th at 1pm. It's time to scrap the water charges, and for this government to go – NOW!
People Before Profit