COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, February 11, 2013

MOTION NO. 1

MOTION: Councillor C. King, Councillor M. Devine, Councillor M. McDonagh

Mayor's Business

This Council views with grave concern the publication on 11 January of the Water Services Bill 2013, which removes water services from democratic accountability as a function of local government and, ultimately, from public control through the process of privatisation. We deplore the proposed draconian powers designed to impose water meters on all homes and to extract a further payment from already hard-pressed citizens and families. This Council further calls on the Government not to proceed with the Water Services Bill 2013, to retain water services as a function of local government, to undertake comprehensive measures to address the need for water conservation, co-ordination of services and to address the outstanding issue of local government funding on the basis of fair taxation and ability to pay.

REPORT:

The Water Services Bill 2013 was published on 8th January 2013, the Bill was discussed in the Seanad on 29th January 2013 and is listed for discussion in the Dail on Wednesday 6th and Thursday 7th February 2013. The Bill provides for the establishment of Irish Water/Uisce Eireann as a subsidiary of Bord Gais Eireann that will be fully owned by the state.

A leaflet entitled Transforming Water Services in Ireland - A Guide to the Establishment of Irish Water has been produced by Bord Gais.

Should the motion be agreed by the Members a letter will issue to the Government outlining the sentiments contained in the motion.

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