Opinion: Water charges boil down to a matter of principle

The Government’s new measures on charging for water have dealt with all but one of the major concerns expressed by protesters, writes Michael Clifford

On Wednesday evening, some hours after Enda Kenny told his ministers to go forth and sell Irish Water Mark II, a great selling opportunity was presented on RTÉ’s Prime Time.

Here was a chance to look the opponents in the eye and tell them that their concerns had been listened to, their pain felt. The common good was now the main issue. Challenge them to embrace the cheapest water in Europe, and look forward to having a modern water infrastructure fit for purpose. And representing the Government was… well, nobody really.