thetruth.ie - Archived articles

Last week people in County Cork blocked access to workmen who were trying to install the meters.

One person writing on the Anti-AusterityAlliance website said that the installation of water meters and subsequent billing was illegal: "If these charges go ahead, this would mean that a service is being supplied to a householder via a binding contract, how could this happen if the Householder has not agreed, nor signed a contract with Irish Water. ESB, Gas, Bin Collection, Satellite TV, Broadband, Phone etc are supplied pending the Terms & Conditions entered into via a contract between the Householder and the Supplier, however in the case of Irish Water there is No contract, therefore it will be illegal to bill for a service that has not been agreed upon by both sides, and that is illegal where there is no Binding contract entered into by both parties."

Now residents of a Neilstown estate joined a street meeting on Monday evening to discuss the response to water metering in the estate. Last week Irish Water had informed residents that metering will begin in the next few weeks.

In response People Before Profit Alliance Councillor Gino Kenny called a street meeting on a green area in the middle of the estate.

At the meeting residents agreed to fight the water charges and the installation of meters. Many expressed anger against the mainstream political parties, especially the Labour Party, for introducing stealth taxes like the household tax, property tax and water charges. They all vowed to punish these parties in the upcoming election, as well as getting involved in local protests.

Cllr Gino Kenny said: "People have simply had enough of taxes and charges. Most people in Clondalkin just don't have the money to pay for water. People Before Profit will organise more street meetings in estates where metering is due to start and we hope that other areas will be as determined to fight as the residents in Rowlagh. This is only the beginning.

"Resistance to water charges has now spread to several areas of Dublin's northside as residents protest and block the installation of Irish Water meters. People Before Profit Alliance Dublin City Council candidate for Beaumont/Donaghmede John Lyons has witnessed first hand the rising resistance to the Government's plans to double-charge the people for water:

"The past five days have been magnificent as residents in Raheny, Donaghmede, Edenmore and, as of this morning, Kilbarrack have taken to the streets to oppose the installation of waters meters in their areas. The people have had enough of paying for the crimes of the rich over the past six years and will not tolerate being double charged for water. This Government is in serious trouble if it proceeds with its plans to start billing people for water from October 1st.

"The ministers currently discussing the best way to squeeze more money out of people have no idea what is going to hit them over the coming period.

Mr. Lyons continued: "The people of Dublin's northside are saying very clearly to the politicians of Fine Gael and the Labour Party that they'll be destroyed at the ballot box on May 23rd and will be faced with mounting resistance after that if they continue with their plans. In the words of one local resident in Kilbarrack this morning "Tax The Rich, Not Our Water."

Resistance to the water charges will only spread in the days and weeks ahead, with a national demonstration due to take place in Dublin on September 20th.

Name:	Remember me
E-mail:	(optional)
Smile:
Captcha