Junior minister Finian McGrath has now given in to pressure and agreed to pay his so far unpaid water charges.
Mr. McGrath had been the target of criticism by fellow politicians, a lot of whom may or may not have paid their own water charges, for refusing to fork out the money. He had even gone so far as saying that he would ask for the Attorney General’s advice about paying the charges.
Mr. Mcgrath now said “I know that priorities must be set and I do not believe that my not paying the water charge at this stage will greatly alter the situation for Irish Water. The debate has moved on and it will be a matter for Dáil Eireann in due course.
“It is clear to me that not paying the charge will become a significant distraction to other important work and I’m determined that this will not be allowed to happen. To that end I will now regularise my situation with Irish Water and pay my charges.”