Proposed increased water charges to impact rural areas

Uisce Éireann have been called on to halt their planned extraordinary hike in water charges, reputed to be in the region of 29 percent,

Leitrim Councillor Paddy O’ Rourke says that along with an equally extraordinary hike in standing charges, the impact will fall heavy on farmers with multiple connections.

The Fianna Fáil Councillor says farmers are making great efforts to do their bit in the improvement of water quality by excluding livestock from using rivers and lakes for drinking purposes by providing piped water from mains supplies.

Speaking to Ocean FM, Councillor O Rourke says the farming community could be forgiven for thinking they are about to be punished for co-operating with the national effort in improving water quality: