Newry Armagh Sinn Féin Sinn Féin -- Building an Ireland of Equals

Bradley gets it wrong - again

Published: 14 July, 2009

Newry Armagh MP Conor Murphy has said that Dominic Bradley should stop trying to mislead people about the SDLP position on charging for water and sewerage.

Mr Murphy said:

"Dominic Bradley knows that one of the first actions of the new Executive was to make sure that no household would pay for water in 2008. Payment for domestic water supply and sewerage was also deferred in 2009.

"He also knows that we would not even be in this position if it had not been for the actions of Mark Durkan and David Trimble in decoupling water and rates and opening up water and sewerage as a separate household cost.

"I have now tabled a proposal to the Executive which sets out a clear way forward for households in relation to water charges. The paper proposes that the Executive defer any decision on charging for domestic water supply to beyond 2012.

"Dominic needs to stop misleading people because the Executive - including the SDLP Minister - unanimously agreed to the proposals on non domestic charging.

"Sinn Féin is opposed to any double-charging for water and sewerage and we have ensured that the privatisation of these services has already been ruled out. We are fully committed to maximising investment and to reversing decades of neglect and underinvestment.

"Unlike Dominic Bradley and his colleagues in the SDLP our position is clear and will guide any future decision on how such services are funded, governed and delivered." ENDS