If it's necessary to human existence
it should be free?
Ireland has until now funded water supplies through general taxation.
But as part of austerity measures to help Ireland repay its 2010 international bailout, the government has set up a company to charge for water use.
The Fine Gael-Labour coalition says more money is needed
for investment in water pipes and infrastructure, and the alternative
to water charges would be higher taxes.
The proposals, due to be introduced on January 1, have
seen country-wide protests against what is seen as a double taxation on
water.
Why the protestors would be happier with higher taxes is unexplained in the article, but this reminds us that Adam Smith was a Scot;
...anti-austerity alliance TD Paul Murphy said the protests were the biggest for 30 years.
"There is now a widespread understanding that water
charges at any rate are unacceptable. They represent the commodification
of a vital human need," he said.
Like food?
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