Bid to delay water levies until after election

The Government has asked the troika if it can start imposing water charges on households from October of next year and delay sending out bills until January the following year.

The move would see consumers hit with charges after the local and European elections, and therefore ease pressure on coalition candidates running for election.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny confirmed yesterday that the Government wants to begin imposing the charges in the fourth quarter of next year but delay sending out bills until Jan 2015.