Sir, - Many people feel there is little honesty in politics. We all claim to want greater openness and honesty in public life. However, when we are really tested, we prefer dishonesty. In the last few days, Mary Harney told us the uncomfortable truth about our water supply. We are moving towards environmental and financial disaster, unless we stop pretending that water is free and unlimited. Dublin is starting to run out of water, although it is nearly draining the Liffey dry. All around the country, it is becoming harder to find clean sources of water. At the same time, millions of gallons are being wasted by people who believe it is free. In fact, getting water into taps is extremely expensive.
All the political parties know this, but no one had the honesty to say so, publicly. To gain votes in Dublin, the Government parties pretended to abolish payment for water. In reality, the huge cost of water will now be transferred to our taxes. They are using our own money to bribe us.
Although we all knew this, we thought - Mary Harney was crazy. Didn't she know that telling the truth would cost her votes? I heard no one say: "What an honest politician! I must vote for her." What a lot of hypocrites we all are! - Yours, etc.,
Castletown, Leixlip,
Co. Kildare.