Government face stormy waters

The water debate is reaching boiling point as the government and opposition test the temperature of the electorate by dipping their toes into the Water Charges furore.

Water charges may be suspended, but their future is the cause of a row between Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil and unless some compromised is reached it could lead to an election.

Today Deputies heard that the €100 grant payments is still being made to householders who have an entitlement dating back to 2015.

The grant, introduced that year, was to offset the cost of water charges. Speaking at the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) today John McCarthy, the secretary general of the Housing Department - which also has responsibility for water – said that water programme expenditure in 2015 included €94 for the Water Conservation Grant.

Speaking in Brussels Taoiseach Enda Kenny has said that it is for the PAC to hammer out a compromise and deliver a recommendation for the Dail to vote on the issue before it progresses.

He said that his Government will not implement legislation on water charges which is not okayed by Attorney General Maire Whelan.