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Assembly urged to work on water

Local politicians were today (Oct 26) urged to ensure that the Assembly, and not direct-rule Ministers, decides on how we manage and pay for our water. The Preparation for Government Committee met the Consumer Council at Stormont, where it was presented with a letter [1] from a range of business, voluntary, trades union and environmental organisations [2].

John Woods, Northern Ireland Director of Friends of the Earth and one of the letter's signatories, said:

"Water is too important for such wide ranging change to be rubber-stamped at Westminster just months ahead of a return of the Assembly. The current proposed legislation is strongly reminiscent of the botched privatisation of electricity from which consumers and the environment still suffer."

He continued,

"The St Andrews Agreement presents an opportunity for local political parties to decide on how water is managed and paid for. This will require a mature political debate to produce a fair, affordable and sustainable system of charging. This can be in marked contrast to the current proposals which are more about maximising returns to the Treasury and private investors."

Notes

[1] Available from the Consumer Council or Friends of the Earth.

[2] Undersigned by

Consumer Council for Northern Ireland

Advice ni
Age Concern
Citizens Advice NI
Friends of the Earth
Help the Aged
NICVA
NI Environmental Link
NILGA
Voluntary Service Bureau

Confederation of British Industry
Federation of Small Business
Institute of Directors
NI Chamber of Commerce

ICTU
Ulster Farmers Union