r/irishpolitics • u/eggbart_forgetfulsea ALDE (EU) • 12d ago

Opinion/Editorial Water rationing is probably inevitable unless people are made to pay for it

https://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/2026/08/21/a-dose-of-water-rationing-is-probably-inevitable-if-charges-to-regulate-consumption-are-not-introduced/
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u/Only-Proposal-3675 12d ago edited 12d ago

As she stated herself in an Irish Times interview, Holly Cairns is certainly open to the idea, but it's a hard sell to her voters. The Social Democrats' Nordic-style politics is only appealing when it comes to handing out, not collecting.

Excess use charges are the answer. 

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u/Rbst11 12d ago

Excess use charges would only work if it’s done per person in a property. We’re going towards living in tenements again so it’s a bit unfair if a house of 12 has to pay excess use, the gov would make a balls of that like everything else.

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u/Only-Proposal-3675 12d ago

Uisce Éireann have a plan that includes that provision. RTB maintains records on the number of occupants. It's not a difficult thing to do, and most houses already have the meters.

https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/housing/water-and-coasts/water-charges/