Water campaigners decide not to fight election

THE National Federation of Group Water Schemes has decided not to put up general election candidates following a special delegate conference in Athlone, attended by 80 delegates from all over Ireland.

The decision follows the federation's latest meeting with the Minister for the Environment, Mr Howlin, at which the Minister made further significant concessions, notably on the subvention to be paid to individual households which are part of group water schemes.

Given that group water schemes provide the source of water for more than 135,000 households, the decision not to contest is likely to be a source of considerable relief within Government circles.

The chairman of the federation, Mr Bernard Keeley, strongly denied that the organisation had been "bought off" by the Minister's latest concessions. He said that it had received recognition because of its non-political approach and very focused campaign. This had secured greater equity for group schemes, which would never again be left out of the water supply equation

The campaign, nonetheless, was still in its initial stages, since "inequity between urban and rural dwellers with regard to free domestic water supply continues".

Despite the unanimous recommendation of the executive, delegates from Co Mayo - which accounts for 19 per cent of the Republic's group water schemes - continue to favour putting forward election candidates. However, it is understood that they are to review their position this week.

Mr Keeley accused the Government parties of a "classical political trick" in attempting to convince individual members of schemes of the "feel-good factor" in the package, which is estimated to be worth at least £18 million.

Mr Howlin "clarified" aspects of his package at a meeting last Friday. An interim payment for 1997, to be paid to all group schemes within a few weeks, amounts to £45 for those in private schemes and £20 for those getting their water from local authorities.

The Minister conceded that no group water scheme would be taken over by a local authority without the consent of the members of the scheme and he gave an assurance that grant-aid would not be contingent on a takeover. However, payments for 1998 and subsequent years will be contingent on improvement plans being put in place where necessary.

Plans are to be drawn up with the "fullest possible consultation, in a spirit of partnership, between group schemes at county level and local authorities". The federation, which has been critical of the role of local authorities in water supply, will be able to monitor this arrangement closely, according to the Minister.

The federation remains at odds with Mr Howlin over his determination to devolve administration functions from his Department to local authorities.

The conference was told that Fianna Fail, if returned to government, would not devolve group water scheme administration from the Department of the Environment, while the Progressive Democrats saw no valid reason to devolve any of the administrative functions

It was emphasised at the meeting that the main objection of the federation had been to group schemes being ignored.

"A key part of our efforts was to protect group water schemes", MrKeeley said. "Brendan Howlin took the mat from under us. If people were not going to pay for group water supplies, the schemes would have gone under."