Government set to apply a ‘ divide and conquer approach’ to water charges – TheLiberal.ie – Our News, Your Views

Government set to apply a ‘ divide and conquer approach’ to water charges




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According to a report published by the Irish Times this morning  the Government have split the Irish public into two rather distinct groups the compliant and the refuseniks.

According to the report the government say the first group is made up by those who have already committed to paying the upcoming water charges. The report states that Government ministers have labled those who comply as the silent majority.
The second group is apparently made up by a number of people who can allegedly afford to pay the charges but are continuing to refuse to do so. This group is labled as the vocal minority. The report states that minister’s believe that there is a strong need for a ‘divide and conquer’ approach to tackle those who refuse to not pay their water bills.
The government also suggest that there are plans afoot to introduce tougher measures to tackle those who fail to pay, the proposed plans include attachment orders on wages and welfare payments.

The news comes as the Minister for Public Expenditure Brendan Howlin confirmed that the Government is working hard to introduce some manner of a mechanism to ensure people who comply with water charges are not disadvantaged. Mr Howlin said: “The vast majority of people paid their way, whilst others have come to the conclusion there are things they don’t have to pay for”.
He further stated: “Simply deciding not to pay the bill is not be an option. Howlin quoted an example in which he said “If you come to a supermarket check-out and say, ‘No, not paying the bill’ and walk off, that’s not the way the system works.”

Although the report did finally state that the Government believe that the majority of the Irish public have accepted water charges in principle, albeit with some deal of reluctance.

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