Fine Gael councillors seek water rethink

Fine Gael is facing a new crisis after several of its councillors in Donegal last night supported a motion to scrap water charges.

Councillors also voted in favour of holding a referendum on water ownership. The Fine Gael whip on Donegal County Council, Cllr Barry O’Neill, said the water charges were “a step too far”.

Speaking ahead of the vote, he said: “[It’s] basically calling on the Government to abolish water charges because I believe at this time that people have given enough. I’ve made these feelings known in recent weeks at Fine Gael meetings.”