A chara, – Are hosepipe bans to Irish summers what unnecessary journeys are to Irish winters? – Yours, etc,
DERMOT O’ROURKE,
Lucan,
Co Dublin.
Sir, – In a country where it rains up to 255 days per year, why should we ever need to ration water just because we have a few nice days of weather?
Apart from the ongoing task of repairing the water supply infrastructure, surely we should be able to increase reservoir capacity to meet current and future demand. The potential threat to our economy from water shortages makes this decision a no-brainer. Just do it. – Yours, etc,
MÍCHEÁL O’CONGHAILE,
Cois Bheara,
Cill Cheanig.
A chara, – As the Dublin hosepipe ban comes into effect, I am left wondering why our august leaders didn’t have the foresight to introduce measures several years ago. Years ago, the government could have brought in a system of measuring the water that goes into each house, and then charged the owners for excess water use. This innovative but simple system would surely have prevented the need for the present emergency ban, and would have served as a means of conserving our dwindling water supply in the summer heat. For too long now, I see I have given the present government a free pass when it comes to their failing infrastructural measures. They can’t be trusted any more. It’ll have to be Sinn Féin, Fianna Fáil or People Before Profit next time! – Is mise,
OSCAR DESPARD,
Portobello,
Dublin 8.
Sir, – If Johnny Cash were alive today and flying over Ireland, I think instead of writing his song Forty Shades of Green, he would have written Forty Shades of Brown. – Yours, etc,
KEVIN DEVITTE,
Westport,
Co Mayo.
Sir, – On yesterday morning’s weather forecast, Met Éireann referred to the “risk” of showers, and later to the “high risk” of sunburn. While the risk of sunburn is well established, the risk associated with showers in the present drought conditions is less clear. – Yours, etc,
KATHERINE QUIRKE,
Monkstown,
Co Dublin.
Sir, – From Monday next, people in greater Dublin will be prohibited from using a hose to wash their cars – water usage about 50 litres.
However, they will still be able to go to a service station and use the automatic car wash – water usage about 300 litres.
Are the people in Irish Water of this world? – Yours, etc,
CECIL ORR,
Wicklow.