Fine Gael and Labour need to stop spending on failed, discredited entity; its future existence is not a certainty

Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Environment Barry Cowen has warned the Government not to spend any money rebranding or reshaping the work of Irish Water, amid media reports the discredited entity is on the verge of getting new identity.

Deputy Cowen bluntly warned: “There is an election in the new year and Irish Water’s future after that is not certain.”

Deputy Cowen said the government would be displaying “a new level of brass neck arrogance if it proceeding with any such plans in advance of the election.”

He added: “There is no sense in throwing more taxpayers money at Irish Water to rebrand it in order to try and win people over.  That ship has sailed.

“Irish Water has been a complete fiasco from day one.  Successive failures have ensured it will never engender the kind of public confidence a utility would need in order to survive with the co-operation and goodwill of its customers.

“How much money is being set aside for this so-called rebrand?

“I look forward to raising this matter with Minister Kelly.  But I think Irish Water management and the Government need to understand one thing very clearly.  Neither is likely to be in the positions they are in the spring of next year.

“The public does not want Irish Water to continue in the current vein.  Fianna Fáil’s position is to abolish Irish Water, not to call it something new and launch a glossy PR campaign to try to win people over.  Any plans to rebrand Irish Water should not be initiated before the people vote in the election next year.  Irish Water’s continued existence is not a certainty.”