Public to have ‘clarity’ on water charges next week, says Kenny

Taoiseach Enda Kenny has said the public will have “clarity” and “confirmation” on details of water charges next week.

Speaking in Galway, where up to 100 people joined a Right2Water protest outside one of his engagements, Mr Kenny said he hoped "legitimate concerns" that had been expressed "very forcibly and very vociferously" over the last fortnight would be addressed in "final and clear" decisions by the Government.

There were minor scuffles during the protest, held outside the Radisson Hotel, as Mr Kenny arrived for a meeting with Galway Chamber of Commerce, Galway Harbour Company and councillors on plans for port expansion which are currently before An Bord Pleanála.

Up to 100 anti-water charges protesters jeered and shouted heckles as Mr Kenny arrived, and then surged forward. A number of gardaí then cleared a route for him to reach the hotel.

Earlier, Mr Kenny said there was an urgent need for investment in water services. “Here in Williamstown, 1,000 people have been put on boiled water notices last week,” Mr Kenny told reporters.

“Now the problem is that in Williamstown and east Galway you have surface water being used as the source for drinking water, and it’s not suitable,” he said.

"So Irish Water have already identified what the solution here is, and that solution is an extension of the Lough Mask regional scheme which already supplies a considerable proportion of Co Mayo - but with a proper extension could also supply east Galway and west Roscommon.

“We cannot continue with what we’ve been at,” Mr Kenny continued. “For instance, the renewed contract for Mutton Island [sewage treatment plant] here in Galway is now saving €100,000 a month, and that money is going to be made available for investment in infrastructure as well,” he said.

“Look at what’s happening in Clifden or in Leenane, the necessity for the Aran Islands and so many other places in Galway, and currently there is a €25 million investment programme here in Galway city,” he said.

“Obviously you’ve got to increase the capacity of the waste water treatment from a city of 71,000 to cater for 120,000 in Galway. That’s why the programme for investment is so important and so critical for Irish Water,” he said.

“We expect Government - having worked closely with Irish Water, Ervia, with the regulator and the Department of the Environment - will be able to make final and clear decisions about this so that everyone can understand exactly why we need this, how affordable and fair it can be for people,” he said.

He added that people living with boiled water notices “shouldn’t be expected to pay for water that they cannot drink”.