IRISH WATER ?
IRISH WATER ?A .PDF image of the A5 flyer used to distribute this letter can be downloaded here.
Dear Neighbour,
I would like to encourage you to support the Boycott of Irish Water – because it is the right thing to do.
Government policy to impose water charges is wrong, it is not in accordance with the general will of the people – this has been demonstrated repeatedly – through mass protest and non-payment of bills.
If anything explains what is happening today it is the effective exclusion of the citizens from any say in how our country is run – decisions are made in our name but we have no part in making them.
To address this lack of democracy I am standing as an independent candidate in the elections, committed to Democratic Representation – the people must have the say, not any Political Party.
The issue of Water Charges has come to represent all the grievances that people feel in the current crisis – be that in the economic collapse, emigration, lack of adequate health care, housing, employment or welfare services – or in the bailout of private Banks and Bondholders at our expense!
Irish Water also reminds us of the waste, the vulgar salaries, the rampant corruption and back-room deals that take place.
We have been powerless in many circumstances, but on this issue we can assert our right, and I encourage you to do so. If it’s not too late you can refuse the installation of a water meter, either way, you should stick with the non-payment and Boycott.
We already pay for water services, we always have, there has been no ‘fairy godmother’ doing it for us – we have never expected anything for free.
Yes, investment in the infrastructure is needed, but, in practice, meters are creating more leaks, not repairing them. The investment required should come from general taxation, we should not privatise our abundant natural resource.
The majority of citizens have taken a stand and are refusing to pay this unjust charge, we should all stand together, united – if we do we will win.
To me, this is a question of democracy… does the will of the people count for anything in our country?
Since when did we agree to government by spin, bribes, threats and even lies? (ref: Pat Rabbitte “what you do during an election”, and other senior Ministers making excuses for false promises and half-truth).
Government has no right to impose policy against the wishes of the people – but that is what they are doing!
Each of us has individual responsibility to do the right thing.
We are collectively responsible because we elected the Political Parties that brought us into this crisis. Reliance on any Party has failed us, we must stop voting for them and instead look for independent candidates who are committed to representing our community and not any Private Member Clubs or other vested interests.
Our Constitution, Bunreacht na hÉireann, states that “Dáil Éireann shall be composed of members who represent constituencies” (article 16.2.1); it makes NO provision for the representation of any Party or even for individuals to represent their own conscience. Our Constitution states that the people must be represented – that implies that consultation should take place – to determine what our policy preference is on each issue up for decision.
Like with so many other issues, when it comes to Irish Water the will of the people is not represented, the Party ‘whip’ ensures that we are ignored.
We have a duty to ourselves and to the coming generations, to our children and grandchildren, to take a stand and do the right thing.
My family is refusing to allow the installation of a water meter at our home, more importantly we will not be paying the charge – it is a matter of principle.
If you wish to refuse a meter you should put up a sign: “NO CONSENT TO WATER METERS HERE!”, I will deliver these to anyone who wants them. In general work crews from Irish Water are accepting where households say they don’t want meters installed.
I am contactable at Ionad an Phobail, the Community Resource Centre that I manage at 99, Douglas Street… I hold a clinic there between 10am and 11am every Tuesday and Saturday morning, phone or visit anytime.
Go raibh míle maith agat,