‘No fear’ new levy will fall foul of EU rules

Taoiseach Enda Kenny has dismissed European Commission concerns about the revised water charges regime and said he is confident Irish Water will not fall foul of EU regulations.

His comments come amid calls for the €100 grant for homes signing up for water charges to be released sooner rather than later to help low-income families facing water bills next year.

Mr Kenny said he was not worried at the commission’s view that new provisions would jeopardise the Coalition’s fiscal plans and hopes to reduce the deficit.