Poll: Do you think Irish Water should be abolished?

FEW WOULD DISAGREE that the Irish Water name has long-since become toxic.

But getting rid of the unloved semi-state, even for those who believe it is a wasteful quango that should be abolished, could be easier said than done.

Others argue Ireland’s creaking water infrastructure is in desperate need of fixing and Irish Water, whatever its flaws, should be left to do its task.

Last year, then-public expenditure minister Brendan Howlin said it would cost €900 million to scrap the utility, while Sinn Féin put the figure at less than one-fifth that sum.

However there has been a lot of water under the bridge since then (excuse the pun). In March, the Irish Times reported it would cost an eye-watering €7 billion over the next five years to abolish Irish Water, according to the semi-state’s own internal figures.

Most recently, the government said it now wants to set up a commission to look at water charges. Fine Gael argues a water utility is needed for the country, while opposition parties are set on seeing it scrapped and the service protected from privatisation.

Meanwhile, thousands of people have already cancelled their direct debits with Irish Water and revenue has plunged while uncertainty surrounds the organisation and the now-suspended payments.

With all that in mind, we want to know: Do you think Irish Water should be abolished?

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