Controversy: Irish water abolishment will not lead to refund of bills – TheLiberal.ie – Our News, Your Views

Controversy: Irish water abolishment will not lead to refund of bills




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The abolishment of Irish Water will not mean that refunds are made to homeowners that have paid their bills up until now.

Fianna Fáil’s Environment spokesperson Barry Cowen said that while the party would seek to end water charges they could not change the law retrospectively as much as they would like to.

Homeowners are very unlikely to be refunded for previous payments to Irish Water, which may lead to protest action. Payment rates may also fall as people weigh up the uncertainty of Irish Water’s future existence.

Fianna Fáil has insisted the water charges will be a red line issue when it comes to a coalition of support for a minority Fine Gael Government.

Fine Gael Minister Simon Coveney said they would be “willing to talk about water.”

“We need to take on board within reason, what they are looking for,” he said.

Dermot Jewell of the Consumers’ Association of Ireland said there would likely be a “very, very sharp” fall in payment rates given to political uncertainty.

“At the very least, people will hang back rather than put more money into a bottomless pit,” he said.

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