Sinn Fein’s secret planning for water charges
14 January 2011
Statement by TUV Leader Jim Allister:-
“The Stormont Executive and in particular Sinn Fein have been adamant that they have set their face against water charges. But, are those affirmations to be taken at face value? If so, then something tucked away in the small print of Michelle Gildernew’s DARD Budget proposals is somewhat surprising.
“At page 28 of her Budget Proposals, in discussing savings on the CAFRE estate, she concedes “If water charges are introduced and utility costs increase significantly over the next four years, the full savings will not be realised.” If Sinn Fein, which controls DRD, has its face set irreversibly against water charges, then why would one of its ministers be anticipating the very opposite? Moreover, she goes on to rate the probability of water charges at 3, on a scale of 1 to 5. See page 28 of document: http://www.dardni.gov.uk/draft-budget-2011-2015.pdf
“It would appear, therefore, that Sinn Fein is being disingenuous and less than honest in its constant affirmations against water charges. Rather, in their own departmental planning they are anticipating the very thing which publicly they excoriate. Such Sinn Fein duplicity is no great surprise, but they really do owe their supporters an explanation.”
