Irish water services reform: Past, present and future

Fiona Dukelow analyses the reform of water services in Ireland as a case study of how public services are being transformed in the context of crisis and austerity, amplifying already blurred public/private distinctions in their definition, financing and provision. The chapter also draws attention to how the reform of water services has been problematic and the focus of the strongest mobilisation against austerity. Concentrating on changes to how water services are paid for and delivered, attention is paid to processes of commodification, commercialisation, privatisation and financialisation. The chapter concludes that reforms are reflective of a move towards a market environmentalist model; however, their implementation to date have resulted in particularly regressive policy measures which, as well as being socially inequitable, are economically inefficient and financially and environmentally unsustainable.