Sir, – A claim based on "internal estimates by the State-owned utility" that its abolition would be prohibitively expensive ("Irish Water abolition 'would cost State up to ¤7 billion", Front Page, March 2nd) deserves as much credence as the assertion by the Construction Industry Federation that Central Bank deposit regulations caused the housing crisis or the coalition's warning that failure to re-elect it would plunge the country into chaos. Turkeys, in general, are not in favour of Christmas! – Yours, etc,
FINBAR O’CONNOR,
Drumcondra,
Dublin 9.
Sir, – What remaining faith I have in Fine Gael as a political party that historically, however clumsily, tries to do the right thing for the greater good on the big issues would be smashed if it capitulates to the demands for the abolition of Irish Water.
The Fianna Fáil proposals are palpable nonsense; the proposal to replace Irish Water with the equivalent of the National Roads Authority and return management of water supplies to local authorities is a recipe for bureaucratic mayhem; and, most importantly, acceptance of continuing poor standards.
The outgoing government has rightly been attacked for its gross incompetence in setting up Irish Water, but that does not invalidate the long-term correctness of its decision. If Fine Gael believes in anything anymore, then it needs to display political courage and stand firm. If moral cowardice prevails, Fine Gael might as well go the whole way and begin negotiations for a merger with Fianna Fáil right now, as the civil war between those favouring short-term expediency rather than the greater long-term good will have been lost. – Yours, etc,
SHANE MOLLOY,
Dublin 6.
Sir, – I paid my water charges from day one, not because I like charges, or judged Irish Water to be well run, but because I recognise a social contract under which I pay the taxes and charges levied by a democratically elected government.
If charges are abolished and I don’t receive a refund, or others are not compelled to pay their arrears, that contract is irrevocably broken as far as I am concerned. – Yours, etc,
WILLIAM JACOB,
Dublin 8.
Sir, – Thanks to letter-writer Conan Doyle (March 1st) for putting a percentage (70 per cent) on the number of people who voted for the abolition of Irish Water. I had already deduced that the percentage was high, consequently my first post-election consideration was to cancel my standing order with Irish Water.
I am not prepared to risk further penalty for being a law-abiding citizen of this State. – Yours, etc,
MICHAEL GANNON,
Kilkenny.
Sir, – Fianna Fáil is making the abolition of water charges a condition of supporting a Fine Gael-led government. That party planned to charge households a round figure of €400 per year for water. New politics surely! – Yours, etc,
MARGARET LEE,
Newport,
Co Tipperary.
Sir, – Will the issuing of domestic water bills be now put on ice? – Yours, etc,
PAUL DELANEY,
Dalkey,
Co Dublin.
Sir, – In the late 1980s, Shannon Development (SFADCO) introduced water charges for residents of Shannon town at a cost of £25 a year. Being a good citizen, I paid it promptly. A subsequent court case found that Shannon Development had exceeded its authority and had no right to levy water charges. I wrote asking for a refund. In reply, SFADCO acknowledged that it was in the wrong but refused to refund monies already collected. So much for being the good citizen. This time around I delayed paying my water charge and now it seems I will be vindicated. It is a sorry day for politics and government when being an honest citizen means you can be taken for a fool. – Yours, etc,
DENIS BATES,
Shannon,
Co Clare.