By Dan Walsh at Wexford County Council monthly meeting
“Uisce Éireann should be abolished. It is not working, and it is not going to work,” strong words from Cllr Lisa McDonald addressing yesterday’s (Monday) July meeting of Wexford County Council held in the Council Chamber at Carricklawn.
Cllr McDonald received good support from her fellow councillors. The debate followed a presentation entitled ‘Water Services Transition to Uisce Éireann Single Public Utility’ delivered by Fionnuala Callery, Acting Senior Engineer at Wexford County Council Water Services.
Ms. Callery said there would be no change in service delivery to the public, but the SLA (Service Level Agreement) with Irish Water from January 2014 is replaced by the Master Cooperation Agreement (MCA), effective from September 2023, and Support Services Agreement (SSA) until December 2026.
Ms. Callery emphasised that Uisce Éireann is the contact for all water services enquiries and a Councillor Clinic will be held three times a year with a dedicated contact number; 1800 178 178 (9am to 5pm weekdays, out of hours contact; 1800 278 278 and a dedicated email address; localrepsupport@water.ie. Uisce Éireann propose a workshop with Wexford County Council elected members in September.
Members reacted angrily to Ms. Callery’s delivery, although it must be stated that Ms. Callery and Deputy CE, Eamonn Hore, and Wexford County Council workers, were highly praised for their quick response to queries regarding leakages and when emergencies arose. It was felt generally that the local response to a vital amenity was further removed from the local councillors and Uisce Éireann customers.
“Uisce Éireann should be abolished. It is not working, and it is not going to work,” claimed Cllr McDonald who stated there was growing frustration amongst councillors due to a lack of answers and poor investment in rural areas.”
Cllr Cathal Byrne was critical of “conditions that contractor’s leave behind them and described what is happening as a “very depressing event,” before concluding that “the next RTÉ will be Uisce Éireann.”
Cllr George Lawlor stated that “either we have a single public utility, or we don’t”; Cllr Davy Hynes was critical of the quango and privatisation and felt this was a further example of “taking away the powers” from the local authority.
Cllr Jim Codd suggested that “the big parties” take the matter to Dáil Éireann and Cllr Leonard Kelly acknowledged the positive relationship between the Council and the staff.
Cllr Ger Carty said it was “a disgusting day” and called for a dedicated mobile number – not an email contact – and Cllr Jackser Owens added his support. The matter is expected to arise again at the September meeting following the summer recess.
WexfordLocal.com 