Rift over charges is not water under the bridge for divided Coalition just yet

Oh no. What a mess. With only weeks to go before the local elections, the coalition parties have waded into an ugly row over water charges.

Labour went to great pains yesterday to point out its “unhappiness” over a memo brought to Cabinet by Environment Minister Phil Hogan over the new tax. But is it just a ploy by the junior coalition party to get disgruntled voters onside?

Labour says many questions remain to be answered. These include how much or if vulnerable homeowners, such as those on welfare or the ill among others, will pay. Another issue is how people without water meters installed will be assessed and charged. Labour say only 25% of homes will have meters installed by the end of this year. Fine Gael say it could be more.