Labour TDs set to veto FG plans for water charges

ANGRY Labour TDs look set to pull the plug on Fine Gael plans for a flat rate water charge.

Moves by Environment Minister Phil Hogan to push through a household utility charge for the country’s 1.8 million homes next year have provoked a strong backlash in the Coalition.

Labour TDs fear the fee, expected to be between €175 and €200 a year, will be seen as stealth water charge and in direct contradiction of the Programme for Government’s pledge not to bring in such a charge before metering is in place.