Tipperary County Councillors have backed a Sinn Féin call for an orderly wind down of Uisce Éireann.
Councillors Annemarie Ryan Shiner and David Dunne are also looking to have water and sewage systems brought back under the control of the local authority.
Uisce Éireann have regularly come in for criticism from members of the council on a number of fronts including the quality of service being delivered and the lack of accountability.
Carrick on Suir based Cllr Dunne says Uisce Éireann has been given every opportunity to get their act together.
“The can was kicked down the road a number of times to try give Uisce Éireann enough time to get their house in order but unfortunately they failed to do that.
“The response times have got worse not better, the communication has got worse and not better so all in all we felt we had no other option but to put down this motion because we’re no longer allowed to speak about Irish Water at council meetings because all responsibility now lies with Uisce Éireann.
“They won’t come before a full County Council meeting in front of the Press.”
The incoming Minister for Local Government will now be asked to set the wheels in motion.
Cllr Dunne says a properly funded council would deliver a much better service.
“We don’t view things in rose tinted glasses – it was not perfect under the Council but you have to remember they were also starved of funding. If they had got the funding the services would have been a lot better. But the main thing is there was accountability – the officials responsible for water services were at every council meeting. They were questioned and accountable to the elected members. That’s the difference – there was no accountability on one side (Uisce Éireann) and full accountability on the other side (Tipperary County Council).”
