No Water Charges Bridgetown

A public meeting opposing the introduction of water charges chaired by local man Mick Roche and addressed by Sinn Féin Cllr Anthony Kelly attracted good local support in Bridgetown last Thursday night. Speaking on the night Cllr Kelly said that his party would fight the planned introduction of water charges but it was up to each area to organise their own local campaign group.

“The introduction of the household tax and the announcement of a timeline for the initiation of water charges shows that we cannot bury our head in the sand and avoid these charges,” Cllr Kelly said. “Water Charges will be introduced just as the household tax has been unless we present mass opposition to it now. Water Charges are not about water conservation. If this tax was to be about water conservation, then money cited for water meters would be spent upgrading our antiquated water supply network instead. This charge is nothing but another regressive tax.”

Cllr Johnny Mythen condemned the government’s announcement of a new household charge and described it as a “Family tax”. “Its a completely unfair and misleading charge,” Cllr Mythen said, “They want you to think it’s only €2 a week but what will you be paying out in three or four years time if we don’t oppose these new taxes now? I’m calling on the people of Bridgetown and communities across County Wexford to form ‘No Water Charge’ groups and to actively oppose the introduction of water charges and other unfair taxes. We will help you in every way that we can.”

“These charges must be fought out of every parish in County Wexford,” Cllr Kelly said. “Sinn Féin intends on going into every area and holding these meetings but we want local people to run their own groups. This is a political issue but more importantly it is a family issue. The people must unite to fight the family tax. Sinn Féin will help them in every way we can by providing posters, leaflets and constant support.”

Mick Roche urged people in the Bridgetown area who oppose the introduction of water charges to come forward and join the local campaign group. “We need everyone behind this and organised now before it’s too late,” he said. Further meetings are planned across the county in the coming weeks and months. A facebook page called ‘No Water Charges Wexford’ has been established to provide details of the campaign and upcoming meetings.