Gilmore denies water charge U-turn

Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore has repeated his objection to a flat-rate water charge for the majority of households that will not have water meters installed by the time billing begins later this year.

In a firm response to accusations in the Dáil that his stance on the issue had undergone a U-turn since Labour was in opposition in 2009, Mr Gilmore said: “It hasn’t changed at all.

“I don’t agree with a flat charge. I don’t agree with a flat charge. I don’t agree with a flat charge. I didn’t agree with a flat charge then. I don’t agree with a flat charge now,” he said.