Revised levies in pipeline as anger swells

The Coalition is pinning its hopes on a revised set of "modest" and "affordable" water charges to take the heat out of public anger over the issue which spilled over into ugly scenes at fractious weekend protests.

The pricing regime and other measures, to be signed off on by cabinet tomorrow and announced by Environment Minister Alan Kelly on Wednesday, are aimed at bringing the majority of middle-ground opponents around to the idea of paying for water while accepting that more hardened opposition will remain.

The system will require homes to have two separate application processes: One to register with Irish Water and another to apply to the Department of Social Protection to qualify for a €100 universal support payment which is one of the key measures to offset the cost.