Editorial: Water will be issue on doorsteps
Minister Alan Kelly shows his skills to new resident Sebastian Kavanagh (6) after the Minister officially opened the Coultry Housing Development in Ballymun. Also inlcluded are Aoife Kavanagh and Lord Mayor of Dublin, Críona Ni Dhálaigh
A PAYMENT rate of just 46pc for Irish Water’s first billing cycle is an embarrassment, both for the utility itself and for the Government.
Regardless of the spin put on the figure, at the end of the day less than half of the amount owed for water was paid for by householders.
The Government have claimed that the figure will rise. Opponents of charges have described it as a “disaster”.
Whichever scenario proves true, one thing is clear: water charges will be a major election issue, likely the biggest one to face Fine Gael and Labour TDs on doorsteps in the run-up to the poll next spring.
If this isn’t a worry for Enda Kenny and his ministers, it should be. The introduction of water charges has been plagued by controversy, ineptitude and overspend.
The argument of paying for a finite resource has been clouded by these issues.
Water charges are certainly not going away, but neither is opposition to them.
Festival goers and residents must be respectful
Thousands of music fans will flock to suburban south Dublin this weekend to attend the Longitude festival.
The three-day event will be a summer highlight for gig-goers, but possibly not so memorable for many local residents.
A number of locals last week spoke of their concerns ahead of the event, given the large crowds that will descend on the venue at Marlay Park.
Many fear anti-social behaviour, having witnessed such activity during music events at the park in the past. Others have complained about noise levels.
The council and the organisers have increased security and it’s to be hoped this will ease disruption.
Concert-goers are entitled to enjoy themselves in a public area but they must also treat local residents with respect.