Water in Irish Political Ephemera 1973 to 1997 June 9, 2016

Posted by irishelectionliterature in Irish Politics

Abrief trove through some of the material I have relating to Water…..

In the 1973 General Election Campaign Fianna Fail promised to abolish Domestic Rates….which were in effect Water Rates…. They didn’t get in but kept the promise for the 1977 General Election and Domestic (Water) Rates were abolished.



In 1983 under a Fine Gael and Labour Coalition attempts were made to introduce Water Charges. This was one of the main topics from the 1983 Dublin Central By-Election. Fianna Fail objected to them



As did Christy Burke of Sinn Fein



And the CPI , although not fielding a candidate distributed a leaflet against Water Charges during the campaign.



It was opposed by many including Tony Gregory



In 1994 Water Charges were introduced to the new Dublin Council Areas. There was opposition and threats of cut offs. The below Democratic Left leaflet gives an interesting sysnopisis of Water up until the mid 90’s , whats also interesting is who is listed as voting for and against Water Charges.





In the 1996 Dublin West By -Election and Joe Higgins running on an anti Water Charges ticket comes very close to winning the seat.



Water charges are abolished in December 1996 by then environment minister Brendan Howlin, widely seen as a political move to block anti-tax candidates in a forthcoming election. Other members of the Rainbow claimed credit for this

In 1997 The Dublin Anti Water Charges Campaign fielded a number of candidates

