Reacting to the reports that Irish Water are predicting water shortages over the summer months, People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy has said instead of once again putting the emphasis on ordinary people, Irish Water and the Government should instead be focusing their energy on fixing the leaks in our water infrastructure.
He said: “While we agree that it is a good idea for people to conserve water, today’s call from Irish Water for people to conserve water as they predict water shortages over the coming summer months cynically misses the point that 49% of our water leaks out of the pipes before it reaches people’s homes.
“In this country we still have an antiquated water system which is wasteful beyond belief. Why the government and Irish Water have not addressed these legacy issues, which we have known about for years, is beyond me. Instead, they are very quick to put the emphasis on individual responsibility rather than, in the first instance, put the investment that is needed into our water infrastructure and provide for a referendum to ensure water remains in public ownership.”