Murphy welcomes water meter halt

Sinn Féin MLA Conor Murphy has welcomed the announcement from Chris Hazzard that he has halted the installation of water meters in domestic properties while legislation is brought to the Assembly.

Regulations are required to be brought to the Assembly before the installation of water meters in domestic properties can be stopped completely.

“I am glad to see Chris acting so quickly on this issue. Sinn Féin is opposed to domestic water charges right across Ireland,” he said.

“I blocked them when I was Regional Development Minister nine years ago, we have consistently opposed them in the south and now Chris has carried that policy on forward with this announcement. Our position is very clear. Water is a human right.”

Speaking on the issue, Minister Chris Hazzard confirmed he had halted all installations. “I have instructed NI Water not to install any more water meters at domestic properties in the north.

“In the current financial climate, the continued waste of public money to install meters which will not be used cannot continue.

‎”Regulations are currently being drafted and consultation on these is legally required. Meanwhile I have instructed NI Water to cease this work immediately.

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Hazzard added, “My officials will now begin consultation on the draft regulations so there is no further delay in dealing with this issue. Regulations will be brought to the Assembly after the summer recess.”

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Posted by Newry Times News on Jul 21 2016. Filed under Politics. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry