Sir, – As a consequence of the arrival of water charges, will the cursory hurried ablution hitherto called “a cat’s lick” be known in future as “a phil hogan”? – Yours, etc,
ÉANNA BROPHY
Bettyglen,
Dublin 5
Sir, – Is it fair that single people should have to pay as much for water as married people, who have the advantage of no longer needing to wash themselves? – Yours, etc,
EUGENE TANNAM,
Monalea Park,
Firhouse,
Dublin 24.
Sir, – Minister for the Environment Phil Hogan feels that his water allowances are generous. In the immediate aftermath of an earthquake, most international agencies have a target of supplying 20 litres per day to each person. The medium-term objective is to bring that up to 51 litres a day within six months, a figure which many agencies calculate is the minimum required to satisfy all basic needs. This works out at 18,615 litres.
In most households there will be at least two adults, which means that his generous allowance is less than what his Government would be called upon to supply to the people of Ireland in the event of a major catastrophe. – Yours, etc,
GEARÓID Ó LOINGSIGH,
Calle D,
Bogotá,
Colombia.