socialist environmental alliance header

S. E. A. Statements

Water Service's blatant untruths on charges---McCann

Eamonn Cann, Socialist Environmental Alliance candidate in Foyle

Sunday 25th February 2007

The Water Service has been accused of telling "blatant untruths" about non-payment of water charges.

The accusation came yesterday from Socialist Environmental Alliance candidate in Foyle, Eamonn McCann. Mr. McCann said that the SEA has written to Minister David Cairns asking that the alleged "blatant untruths" be removed from the Water Service website.

"The Water Service is telling people that their supply can be disconnected if they do not pay the bill for charges. This is totally untrue, and Mr. Cairns and the Water Service know it to be totally untrue.

"The false statements should be withdrawn from the Water Service website immediately. I want this done by close of play tomorrow, Monday.

"On the Water Service website at the moment, there is a question, 'What will happen if I don't pay my bill?' The answer given is: 'You will receive notification that you will be disconnected in seven days if the outstanding debt is not paid. If you still do not pay you will be disconnected.'

"This is absolutely untrue. As the non-payment campaign has repeatedly explained, the Water Service CANNOT disconnect people's water supply.

"A follow-up question on the website asks: 'What do I do if I have been disconnected for non-payment?' The answer given is: 'Immediately following the disconnection you should call into either Revenue Branch or your local Water Service office and pay your bill in full plus a reconnection charge (Currently £96). Once you have done this, arrangements will be made to reconnect you as soon as possible but you should be aware it may not be possible to reconnect you the same day because of other operational commitments.'"

"Again, this is totally untrue."

Mr. McCann said that he had become aware of the "untruths" while canvassing in the Creggan Estate on Sunday.

"I found myself accused on a doorstep by a supporter of another party of not coming clean about the implications of non-payment. When I insisted that the SEA was right in telling people they couldn't be cut off, I was directed to the Water Service website. I have now found that the voter was right---the Water Service is indeed giving people to understand that they might be left without a water supply if they join in the non-payment campaign.

"This is just one of the ways in which people are being misled and intimidated on the water charges issue. I now repeat---You cannot be cut off for non-payment, full stop.

"I have this afternoon e-mailed Mr. Cairns' office and the Water Service demanding that the misleading statements be removed from the website immediately. At close of play on Monday, the SEA will be checking whether this misinformation has been removed. If it have not been removed, we will take whatever action is necessary to force the Water Service's hand.

"These are by no means the only falsehoods being circulated by the New Labour administration, in relation to this and other issues. It confirms for me that they know they can't win the argument over non-payment on the basis of the facts.

"The fact is that only non-payment can defeat water charges and NIO knows this."





SEA Logo