There is a marked obstinacy among hardcore Fine Gael politicians when it comes to water charges, specially among those who just got power bestowed upon them and must show to toe the official, if a little askew, line.
Water charges are dead on the water, so to speak, yet politicians expect past monies to be be taken off people.
The new Chief Party Whip, Regina Doherty, said this morning that the charges are legally binding until they are suspended at the end of the current billing cycle.
Ms. Doherty said “Effectively, even if it is suspended the law of the land still stands from the legislation that was passed 18 months ago.”
“The charges are effectively legal and they will be collected regardless of whether somebody pays now or they pay later.
“So, I will obviously be advising people to adhere to the law of the land and to pay the outstanding bills that have been issued by Irish Water.”