“Let me give an example. A number of years ago the IMF and the World Bank foisted on the city of Dar es Salaam a water privatisation programme [see below]. This turned out to be a total disaster from which Tanzania and the city of Dar es Salaam have been trying to recover. The Minister [for finance, Brian Cowen] made specific reference to the provision of clean water in his speech. Much of the provision of clean water, as provided for by many of the directives of the IMF and World Bank, is via the privatisation of public water supplies. Does the Department of Finance have a position on money used for water programmes where the condition attached to such programmes is the privatisation of the supply?”
Joan Bruton in the Dáil, October 2006.
Good times.
Via Oireachtas.ie
Water Privatisation in Dar Es Salaam?
(Eamonn Farrell/Photocall Ireland)
Thanks Bonzer
ah joan, the grass isn’t always greener on the other side is it?
That is some outfit for one outfit.
2006 – Joan speaks out against privatisation of our water.
2014 – Our water is still in public hands (albeit through a central body and with charges)
Seems pretty consistent to me.
+1
All politics aside, though. Her outfit is totally on point. Woman knows how to do autumnal.
She looks like Captain Morgan
Ahhhhhhhhrrrrr , what is it with politicians, in opposition they are on the same page as the public, but once elected , it oh no, we cant do that …..
Its not just water its, Justice too, how many promises did Alan Shatter make to the public about investigation of Garda corruption, but the minute he got the job he hopped into bed with them …
sigh
Good old Hydropolitics…
Of course, no one has pointed out that Water is the most strategically important resource of the 21st Century – more so than oil. To put it simply, with a huge increase in global population plus climatic change – some areas of the world will be even more dependent than at any time in the past.
For those with a mind, its pretty obvious that privatisation of water utilities allows for great financial returns. and believe or not – export opportunities!
The first step of course is to set up a public utility, the second step is to flog it! What would be an interesting exercise is (1) look to see how many countries who have had IMF assistance (2) see how many have had to create water utilities / or privatise the water utilities as a consequence. (3) See who invested in them or bought them.
http://www.finance.gov.ie/sites/default/files/moujun2013search.pdf
“(1) look to see how many countries who have had IMF assistance (2) see how many have had to create water utilities / or privatise the water utilities as a consequence. (3) See who invested in them or bought them”
Could you just answer that in a paragraph or less, sil vous plait. It’s late. Merci b. Louis. :)
Ahh Joan thatcher at her finest “I’ll say anything to get into power”
If there’e money to be made uisce eireann will follow the same path as the Dept. of Posts & Telegraphs.
…this is like the capitalist equivalent of ‘grooming’
Oh hey, look, broadsheet published a misleading article.
Irish Water isn’t private, it’s a semi-state like the ESB.
But let that not get in the way of a self-indulgent smirk.
+1
Or you for that matter, Kieran NYC.
Thanks for remembering me, Anne! :)
It’s hard to miss you, you knucklehead.
Can you point out the misleading bit please?
Which part of Joan’s quote was misleading?
I won’t hold my breath..
Joan bRUton? Is that a euphemism for the coalition? :P
This party political broadcast on behalf of the Socialist Party was brought to you by broadsheet.ie
Our water supplies have not been privatised.
yet. you forgot yet.
You do know that they are setting up to be sold. It’s no secret.
“It’s no secret” – when has that ever been announced?
Oh that’s right, it’s not true.