Cobain opposed to SF Water Charge Proposals
Ulster Unionist Regional Development spokesman Fred Cobain today raised his objections to Minister Conor Murphy’s proposals on water charges. The North Belfast MLA said he could not support any moves which saw every household in Northern Ireland paying, in some shape or other, for water.
In a statement Mr Cobain said,
“Thousands of the poorest and most vulnerable pensioners, working poor and near benefit-level families will all be worse off after today’s statement and will feel cheated that the right noises that Sinn Fein and others were making before the election with regards to water charges have been brushed under the carpet.
The DUP promised a financial package that would offset water charges, their leader pledged and committed himself to securing a financial package and indeed sought and secured a mandate to do so. They didn’t deliver and now in cahoots with Sinn Fein Minister Murphy we are now seeing water charges being brought up for discussion with a view to eventual implementation.
I cannot and will not support water charges that will hit the most vulnerable and needy in society.”