I Propose we write to the Prime Minister

During the November Corporate Committee in the North Down Borough Council’s monthly I proposed the following.

I would propose that this Council write immediately to the Prime Minister,
regarding the introduction of the controversial water charges, which will take place in April 2007. Even thought a judicial review found that the Consumer Council was not adequately consulted on these unjust and undemocratic water charges.

Last month the Consumer Council’s lawyer claimed that the Northern Ireland Office had rushed ahead with the legislation and that the Department of Regional Development should have spent more time engaging with the Consumer Council on its response to the legislation. I understand that he claimed that they feared a restored Assembly would reject the imposed rate.

While Mr. Justice Weatherup was not suggesting any illegal impropriety on
the part of Ministers, he did say that there should have been a proper consultation with the Consumer Council before any legislation was laid before Parliament.

However, I understand that a warning is to be sent to MPs advising them of
the flaw in the government¹s handling of the issue. - Now there’s a joke!

Surely this again highlights consultation, particularly in Northern Ireland as a total farce and a waste of time.

I have no doubt that these charges ­ for which we keep being told ­ we do not pay for, will come in during April next year, but it is strange I remember my mother going to a placed in Belfast called the Water Office and paying her bill there.

However, I propose that we write immediately to the Prime Minister stating
”This Council objects to and is disgusted at the speed with which the proposals regarding Water Charges will be pushed through Westminster next week, and in particular, we object to the rejection of the General Consumer Council’s case through a Judicial Review. It would appear that in Northern Ireland consultation has once again appeared meaningless.”