Gormley hints water charges could return

TAXPAYERS may soon be hit with another financial blow after Environment Minister John Gormley hinted that domestic water charges could be re-introduced to tackle the growing scarcity of water supplies.

Mr Gormley said it was his personal view that the issue of charging for water would have to be addressed, as climate change meant Ireland could expect greater periods of drought in the future.

However, he stressed that the Government would make no policy decision on any re-introduction of domestic water charges until the report of the Commission on Taxation — which is examining the funding of local authorities as part of its remit — is published later this year.