Dundalk cllrs pass motion calling for water services to be returned to local authority

Councillors passed a motion at the Dundalk Municipal District July meeting, calling for water services to be returned to local authorities.

Cllr Antóin Watters motion stated: "This Municipal District calls for Water Services to be returned to local authorities including Louth County Council to ensure they are responsive to local need and subject to local democrat oversight in the future. We also call on the Government to set a date for a referendum on the public ownership of Water Services."

Cllr Watters told the July meeting that the councillors recent visit to the Cavanhill water treatment plant, and seeing how the local water authority deals with the "nuts and bolts" of water services, its knowledge of local water services, and its engagement with local representatives, was part of the reason for the motion.

Cllr Maeve Yore voiced her support for the motion, saying that "Irish Water (now known as Uisce Éireann) is a quango set up by Fine Gael" and that she has "serious issues with communication" from the national water utility, adding that the need for local authority staff and the local knowledge they have "in relation to where all the pinch points are in relation to the network is hugely important".

Cllr Kevin Meenan also voiced his support, mentioning issues currently in the UK where water services have been privatised, and adding that local authorities need to be looking after local water services as the have the local knowledge.