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S. E. A. Statements

Derry people should bin their water bills

Statement from Eamonn McCann, Socialist Environmental Alliance Assembly candidate in Foyle

Friday 9th February 2007

The Socialist Environmental Alliance has reacted angrily to the arrival in the post in Derry this week of "indicative" bills from the Water Service.

"This is a dishonest and insulting document," said SEA Foyle candidate, Eamonn McCann. "It claims to be informing each household of how much they owe for something they have already paid for---our publicly-owned water supply.

"This is particularly outrageous when we consider that the Water Service is supposed to be holding a public consultation on their charges scheme. The consultation doesn't end until March 5th. But already, they are acting as if the process is done and dusted. They are treating people like fools.

"Every household is receiving a Direct Debit form and an addressed envelope with no stamp on it. The trade union movement is strongly urging the public NOT to fill out or sign the Direct Debit form, but to send it back blank and unsigned, in the envelope provided, without a stamp. The SEA fully backs the unions in this. Show the Water Service the contempt they are showing us.

"As the Northern Secretary of the ICTU, Peter Bunting, said this week: 'If thousands of people show their defiance in this manner, it will cost the Water Service thousands of pounds in postage bills. More importantly, it will send a message that the public is too smart to be taken in by their hollow threats and the cavalier attitude they have shown towards consultation.'"

Mr. McCann appealed for support for a meeting on non-payment in the City Hotel in Derry next Thursday. The meeting has been called by Communities Against the Water Tax. The main speaker will be John Corey, general secretary of the North's largest union, the NI Public Service Alliance.





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