The debate on water charges has been reignitied after an expert commission recommended that water should be paid for through general taxation.
The debate on water charges has been reignitied after an expert commission recommended that water should be paid for through general taxation.
Fianna Fáil has floated the idea of merging the cost with the property tax but Clare's Fine Gael Senator says that doesn't change the fact that people would still have to pay for their water.
Debate over the report of an expert group is continuing today after it recommended that water should be paid for through general taxation.
Fianna Fail says it will wait at least a month before deciding its final position on water charges, though reports say the party would support bundling it together with the property tax.
The Green Party says the proposals represent real change though the Social Democrats have questioned whether the recommendations make sound economic sense.
The strongest water charges opponents, meanwhile, are promising to have 'tens of thousands' on the streets in the new year.
Left-wing parties say that imposing bills on wasteful households are a "trojan horse" that guarantee the return of the charges.
Around half a billion euro has been spent on water metering so far and the Minister with responsibility for the scheme believes the installation of water meters should continue.
Under the proposals, those who waste water will be charged more and Minister Simon Coveney says that mean metres need to stay:
Clare's Senator is re-iterating his stance that in order to have an acceptable water supply, there has to be significant investment in services.
But Fine Gael Senator Martin Conway says people would still be paying, one way or another.
