The words of the French poet, novelist, and dramatist Victor Hugo — “There is one thing stronger than all the armies in the world, and that is an idea whose time has come” —are not something you call to mind when doing the weekly grocery shop.

What use is a utility, if not as a scapegoat? Except that the scapegoat is now so starved it can’t carry the load, writes Victoria White.

Ervia's annual report for 2016 has revealed that they paid former Irish Water managing director John Tierney €655,000 in salary, severance and pension contributions.

Revenue’s clampdown on medical consultants’ tax affairs has so far yielded €46.5m in settlements.

Youngsters of Blantyre, you have been warned.

In October of 1945, just over 70 years ago, Harry S Truman, the 33rd President of the United States of America, received a sign that would sit on his desk for the duration of his presidency.

Tommy Quigley hugged his sons and team-mates Stephen and Shane as Thurles celebrated their first AIG Pierce Purcell Shield win for 18 years.

Ministers have been accused of standing over a bonus culture at Irish Water after welcoming pay boosts for workers at the utility.

The deliberate blinding of a terrier dog in Waterford city last week has to act as a wake-up call for society to face the reality of animal abuse in its midst.

The slaughter of Cecil the lion has attracted worldwide anger. His killer has borne that odium. While this reaction is justified, we must not forget, in Ireland, that we have our own version of Cecil killers.

AS SOMEONE who believes in the concept of a national water authority, and who signed up to pay water charges, it gives me no pleasure to admit my mistake, writes Fergus Finlay.

Irish Water has confirmed it suffered a loss of €139 million in 2014 as both the chairman and the chief executive of its parent company, Ervia, admitted “mistakes” were made in how the water utility evolved in its first year in operation.

For the first time in five years, thousands of householders in Co Roscommon can now safely consume their own tap water.

The Environment Minister Alan Kelly says he cannot give a date for when Irish Water will find out if it has passed a key EU test.

Irish Water has today announced that more than one million households have registered their details with the company.

A new board has been appointed to take charge of Irish Water.

Admissions by Fine Gael’s chief whip that the Government behaved in an “underhand” way over a Seanad nomination has provoked demands for ministers to be more honest.

A homeless man dies on a morgue-cold Dublin street; residents of a residential care home are manhandled by dullards and Christmas was celebrated in a fug of alcohol while people remain emotionally clamped to consumerism.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny has been branded patronising after telling some anti-water-charge protesters to “enjoy themselves”.

People who fail to pay their household water bills will not be pursued in the courts, Irish Water boss John Tierney pledged last night as those calling for a boycott claimed it will be difficult for the Government to penalise non-payers.

A Government TD has told the Taoiseach and the boss of Irish Water that he will not pay for his house to be metered for a second time "because it makes absolutely no sense".

The controversial new postcode system will not be introduced until "satisfactory solutions" are put in place to address "serious concerns", the Data Protection Commissioner has confirmed.

Environment Minister Alan Kelly said that the days of threatening those who refuse to pay water charges with a cut in their supply are over — but refused to be drawn on what sanctions await those who ignore their Irish Water bills.

The escalating row over water charges threatens to split the Coalition amid continuing confusion over what households will be asked to pay for the controversial levy.

THEY don’t care about the water. It’s just a tool to destabilise the Government and accumulate power. It’s what they do. It’s what they’ve always done — find an issue with which they can mobilise people, then go and do it.

As one Cabinet Minister put it: "Jaysus Eric, I think our cover’s been blown."

The Coalition is set to cave in to the massive public revolt against water charges by agreeing to more "modest" rates.

Ministers have refused to apologise for the chaotic launch of Irish Water despite its head, John Tierney, finally saying sorry for the mess.

The CEO of Irish Water has defended paying for his staff to attend courses on stress management.

The Chief Executive of Irish Water, John Tierney, has apologised for how the roll-out of water charges have been handled.

In the animal cruelty industry, words are employed as a verbal cover for barbaric acts of animal cruelty.

The former minister who oversaw the setting up of Irish Water has called for the boss of the under-fire company to resign.

The Dáil’s spending watchdog has claimed unknown officials are attempting to "muzzle" its work after it received "unsolicited" Oireachtas legal counsel advice warning it not to examine Irish Water.

Irish Water boss John Tierney has vowed to stay in his post and defended staff with the semi-state company amid accusations they will be given bonuses next year.

Dedicated phonelines for Oireachtas members and councillors with concerns and queries from constituents about water charges will be set up next month.

It is reported today that the term of the fixed rate on water charges could be extended.

Households look likely to get a brief reprieve in paying their first water charge bills as figures show that less than half of homes have so far signed up with Irish Water.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny has said Irish Water staff should not get bonuses for under-performing but has absolved the company’s boss from any responsibility for the pay awards.

Changing a few board members at Irish Water will not allow the Cabinet to wash it hands of the mess that it has created. It must tackle the bonus issue and fast, writes Shaun Connolly

Finance Minister Michael Noonan has further fuelled the political storm over water charges after describing them as "modest" amid mounting anger with Irish Water and pay bonuses for its staff.