Water charges are a 'huge burden to farmers' - TD
There is little recognition in the Dáil regarding people who "pay for water" according to one TD who has highlighted the ongoing challenge in relation to agriculture and water charges.
The Independent Ireland TD for Cork South-West, Michael Collins, told TDs that water charges are a "huge burden to farmers".
He also highlighted his own experiences and outlined that he "paid for three connections.
"My son is paying for it now because he is running the farm," he added.
According to the Independent Ireland TD one of the other key burdens that farmers also bear is the responsibility to immediately deal with leaks.
During a Dáil debate on water charges this week the Sinn Féin spokesperson on agriculture, Sligo-Leitrim TD, Martin Kenny, highlighted key challenges facing people living in rural areas, warning that "any introduction of water charges" would only compound ongoing issues.
"One of the things Uisce Éireann charges for is a connection. Here is an example. My understanding is that a connection fee for water is €2,200 or thereabouts. However, if the distance is more than 10 m, Uisce Éireann charges €358 per metre.
"What the company is saying to people is that if they are not on the line, they will not get water because they will be priced out of it.
"That is totally unfair, particularly for people who live in rural areas where houses are often a bit more dispersed," Deputy Kenny said.
Charles Ward, 100% Redress Party TD for Donegal, also warned that "rural areas are very badly serviced when it comes to water".
However, during the debate the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, James Browne, stressed that the "introduction of the household water conservation charge is not in the Programme for Government and the charge will not be introduced".
Minister Browne said the government had made it very clear that "it would not be introducing water conservation charges in the lifetime of this government".
