Sir, – Donal MacErlaine’s observation ( May 17th) that when bottled water arrived “we took to it like ducks” overstates the reality – “we” had a choice in that matter. The water charge is a tax that the Government is imposing on everyone, including those who clearly will not be able to afford to meet their basic needs, thus forcing them to ration both it and other vital utilities. It is a dangerous ploy to attempt to downplay the very serious consequences that this charge will have for many vulnerable people in our community given the Government’s failure to provide necessary income-based waivers. – Yours, etc,
JIM O’SULLIVAN,
Rathedmond,
Sligo.