Protest on water charges this saturday

Paul Neilan

There will be a public protest against water charges in Cavan Town this weekend.
On Saturday (November 1) at 2pm on Market Square the Right2Water group will demonstrate against the controversial bills, which will come in customers’ doors on January 1.
Last Saturday (October 18) volunteers distributed leaflets and posters in communities and towns throughout the county. Local Facebook groups have been established - Cavan Says No and Cavan Says No To Water Charges.
Emmett Smith of Cavan Says No said: “A wave of anger has erupted all over Ireland after six years of austerity. People have had enough and many simply cannot pay.”

Human right
John Walsh of Right2Water: “Water is not a commodity, it is a human right. Irish people already pay for water through general taxation; why should they have to pay twice? Irish Water is just the first step to full privatisation of our water supply, which will see bills steadily rise, as happened in Britain and other countries. We cannot allow this to happen.”
Cavan Town Sinn Fein Councillor Eugene Greenan is urging people to attend. “I believe that these charges can be beaten on the street and through the ballot box.
“Irish Water and this government are spending a minimum of €500m of tax payers money installing water meters throughout this country. This money should be spent on upgrading and repairing the decaying water pipes that is resulting in 40% of our water leaking and going to waste.
“I am a firm believer that water utilities should remain in public ownership. As it stands, Irish Water is unaccountable to the Minister and therefore to the Oireachtas and the citizens of Ireland. I think that it is clear that this government’s ultimate intention is to sell and privatise our water system. I strongly oppose this. Be there and be a part of change.”