Tipperary county councillors yesterday passed two motions in respect of Uisce Eireann at the December plenary meeting.
A motion put forward by Sinn Fein Councillors( Anne Marie Ryan and David Dunne) in advance of the meeting calls on the Government to act to restore water services to the control of local Councils and for Uisce Eireann to be wound up. After discussion, Cllr Micheal Anglim(Fianna Fáil), Ardfinnan, proposed that the motion be amended to include a call for improved communication between Uisce Eireann and Councillors.
Cllr Marie Murphy(Fine Gael) proposed that both motions be sent to the Minister for Housing Darragh O’Brien. No vote was taken on the matter.The Government established Irish Water as a national utility for water and waste water services in 2013 on a service level agreement at the time meaning that all staff would be council employees and provide the management of water services for Uisce Eireann. In the wake of the financial crash there were concerns that the service might be privatised. It was intended that by 2026 Irish Water would have its own direct employees and have total management of water services. The company was renamed as Uisce Eireann as of January 1st 2023 by the outgoing Government and became a standalone national utility for water services. Councillors are unhappy with the lack of information available to them when there are disruptions to supply.
