TANAISTE SAYS AVERAGE FIGURE FOR WATER CHARGES STILL ‘VERY BIG’
The Tánaiste has said the government should have decided on the level of water charges for households “months ago”.
Eamon Gilmore has told the Dáil that the CSO’s projected average costs of 240 euro a year are too high for families on lower incomes.
In a sign of deepening tensions in the government, he is also demanded more details on how charges will be applied to families who do not have meters installed before charges begin in October.
And he has made it clear that Labour will not sign off on any deal unless allowances are made for families who cannot afford to pay:
“There are still a number of issues that need to be addressed – frankly I wish they that had been addressed some months ago” he said.
“The CSO figure (of) 240 is less than what was talked about earlier in the year – but it is still a very big bill for a household that is on low income; and that issue is going to have to be addressed before we conclude on it” he added.
