Sir, – Please, please Minister for the Environment Alan Kelly, can you ensure that when I refuse to pay my electricity bill and my gas bill I will not be cut off? – Yours, etc,
JAMES A DINEEN,
Bishopstown,
Cork.
A chara, – There is an air of desperation in Leo Vardkar’s claims that anti-water charge protests are now being hijacked by dissident republicans. Does he really think that over 100,000 people could have been influenced by such a small and “sinister fringe” last Saturday?
Are we to believe that the million unregistered households are now subscribers to the views of such groups as RNU, 32CSM, Éirigí and all the other acronymic dissident groups which seem to have more letters than members?
The Government should admit defeat and stop discrediting its people before it discredits itself entirely. – Is mise,
MAITIÚ de HÁL,
Baile Átha Cliath 8.
Sir, – The ECB threatened to turn off the tap once before.
Is it time for an encore? – Yours, etc,
MICHAEL O’DONNELL,
Whitehall,
Dublin 9.
Sir, – If there is to be a referendum on Irish Water, will voters be obliged to reveal their PPS numbers on arrival at the polling stations before being issued with a ballot paper? – Yours, etc,
PAUL DELANEY,
Dalkey,
Co Dublin.
Sir, – While agreeing water, like any other service must be paid for, is there another method?
I propose 100 per cent tax relief for water butts and rainwater purification systems manufactured indigenously. It would create employment while reducing water charges for individuals. – Yours, etc,
RICHARD MORROW,
Ballina,
Co Mayo.
Sir, – Inflation is back – at least in terms of protester numbers.
The recent protest against water charges had a turnout, we were told, of 100,000 on the day that it actually took place. Within a few days this number had been revised upwards to 120,000. Yesterday Gerry Adams TD further revised it up to 150,000, and this morning on RTÉ Paul Murphy TD told us it was 200,000.
At this rate of progress, come Christmas, we will all have been there. – Yours, etc,
FRANK E BANNISTER,
Dublin 4.
Sir, – It’s about time this Government stopped placating the looney tunes and started placating the people who actually pay for this country. – Yours, etc,
SIMON FITZPATRICK,
Ballycoolin,
Dublin 15.
Sir, – I have a marvellous ideas to solve the Irish Water debacle. Let’s get Glanbia to pay for our water! – Yours, etc,
TIMOTHY LYNCH,
Pearse Street,
Dublin 2.
Sir, – I have a lined pond that leaks and which needs to be emptied, cleaned and refilled annually. I estimate that it takes about 30,000 litres of water a year to maintain this wildlife habitat. There are also my paved driveway and patios, which I power-wash twice a year to keep the place looking spic and span.
What with washing the cars, irrigating the lawn and wildflower meadow, I would be lost without my mains water supply.
I would like to thank Gerry Adams and all the others who denounce the introduction of water meters and charges and who wish me to continue with my water-wasting lifestyle.
Logic and commonsense would suggest otherwise, but then who am I to refuse the offer of a free and plentiful supply of treated water delivered to my doorstep and paid for by some unknown, but clearly wealthy society. – Yours, etc,
KEVIN CULLEN
Sandyford,
Dublin 18.
Sir, – The people of Ireland seem to have at last found their voice after years of passivity. Now we can demand more of our politicians, and ourselves. – Yours, etc,
LUKE CAHILL,
Dublin 18.
Sir, – If they cut the water off to my house, I will have no choice but to wash myself naked in the Garavogue river. – Yours, etc,
MARTIN FORD,
Sligo.