Sir, – As I listened to Seán O’Rourke (RTÉ Radio 1, Thursday) read out a text from a listener stating that he had let the water run as he brushed his teeth in the sure and certain knowledge that he would never pay a water bill again, it struck me as proof that, for many, not having to pay for consumption means you have little regard for who picks up the tab.
In this case, it is going to be the ever-narrowing base of income-tax payers under our ever-more “progressive” tax system. The rub is that these are among the most mobile of our population and that they may take their business and tax euros elsewhere to where their contribution to the state’s coffers are appreciated rather than being vilified as “rich” people to be “soaked”. – Yours, etc,
CHRIS NOTHER,
Dublin 13.
Sir, – I purchased Telecom Éireann (Eircom) shares in the 1999 flotation; recently I cashed them in for a fraction of their value. From 2008 to 2013, I paid my Teaching Council subscription; the council admitted in 2015 that it had no statutory right to demand the payment but would not be making refunds to those who had paid in good faith. I have paid all my Irish Water bills; it seems that those who have not will not be pursued for arrears. I am not expecting a refund.
If the widow of a wealthy African politician emails me requiring my help to get her late husband’s wealth out of the country, I would be happy to supply her with my bank account details. – Yours, etc,
ANDREW DEACON,
Lucan, Co Dublin.
Sir, – I have paid my water charges in the hope that the appalling state of our ancient underground network of pipework will be brought into the 21st century. I do not like paying but I do want quality water. The cost of repairing and replacing old pipework is staggering. The people who refuse to pay will undoubtedly scream loudest if the system collapses due to lack of funding. Let’s all pay our share. – Yours, etc,
J KENNETH GRACE,
Cabinteely, Dublin 18.
Sir, – Watch as the parties try to kick the water fiasco into touch by appointing consultants to examine the issue. – Yours, etc,
PATRICIA O’RIORDAN,
Dublin 8.
Sir, – Water is free but the means to get it to the taps in homes and businesses is not free. It’s a no-brainer. Water must be paid for. – Yours, etc,
MAUREEN WALSH,
Kilgobbin, Dublin 18.
Sir, – Parish-pump politics is all well and fine as long as the water coming from the pump is drinkable . It would appear likely that in the near future, should Irish Water be disbanded , the parish pump may be polluted or even run dry. What then? – Yours, etc,
ROSI O’SULLIVAN,
Dalkey, Co Dublin.