Mayo councillors demand action over new farm water charges

MAYO councillors are ramping up their calls for action against new water charges being imposed on farmers.

Farmers face a standing charge on every meter on their lands, which will impact those with fragmented holdings.

Correspondence has been received from the Taoiseach's office and the Minister for Housing and Local Government after the council wrote to ask why they were allowing Irish Water to apply multiple meter standing charges.

Councillor Damien Ryan described himself as 'dismayed' with the response, saying they were being 'put around in a circle', with the Taoiseach referring them to the minister, and the minister saying it is a foregone conclusion.

As far as the councillor is concerned: “This is just the beginning.”

He stated: “If they want to meet resistance they will meet it.”

Mass gatherings and meetings will become the order of the day in relation to unfair charges being put on non-domestic users, particularly those with fragmented holdings, Councillor Ryan warned.

He asked they write back to the Taoiseach and Tánaiste in the strongest possible terms. As public representatives they needed to get organised and have the people of the county and the farming organisations behind them.

“They think it is going to go away,” he said. “Go away it is not.”

There was no argument against charges, added Councillor Ryan, “but we certainly argue against injustice.”

Councillor Jarlath Munnelly said they had made a simple request for Irish Water to come and address their concerns and they were 'ignoring us'.

If there is no progress the council should go directly to the Commission for Regulation of Utilities.

Councillor John O'Hara said the farmers had ensured water went into every house in the country by giving the use of their land.

They were told they would have one meter and the rest would be used to find out if they had a leak, but then that had been changed.