Neeson opposes water charging

12.00.00am GMT Wed 22nd Jan 2003

EAST Antrim Assembly member Sean Neeson led the campaign against water privatisation in the early Nineties - and today he continues to oppose unfair water charging.

Mr Neeson said that Government plans to steamroller Northern Ireland water charges through Westminster were a 'back door stealth tax'.

Mr Neeson said: "Although we already pay for our water through the rates, the Government seems totally prepared to steamroller its own plans through - plans that will likely leave the public wondering if their money is being poured down the drain."

"A new tax based on house value is far from fair, yet the Government seems determined to go down that path while trying to avoid debate on the more open and accountable system of water metering."

"Imagine the outcry if your electricity bill was based on the value of your house rather than how much power you used. The Government says metering is expensive, but that is ignoring the conservation aspect, as ministers are not taking long-term savings into account resulting from a reduction in unnecessary use."

Mr Neeson said Government comparisons between rates paid here and charges in England and Wales were 'dishonest'.

"Income in Northern Ireland is lower than in Great Britain, and people here spend more of it on necessities rather than luxuries."

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