Protesters: U-turn on charges a con trick

A campaign group has claimed Irish Water’s entire "economic viability" will be put at risk by Government plans to cut fees and delay customer bills — unless future price hikes have been secretly planned.

Union officials behind the Right2Water protests issued the stark warning yesterday, insisting it was proof the high-profile U-turn was a “con trick” to convince people to register before prices surge after an expected fee-freeze ends in 2018.

Speaking at a press conference ahead of the group’s next national protest — planned for outside the Dáil on December 10 — Mandate general secretary John Douglas said campaigners must not be fooled.