Irish Water approval not guaranteed as Coalition in the minority in Seanad

Water charge bills could be delayed by months if the Seanad votes against the new levy this week.

With the Coalition now in a minority in the upper house following the aftermath of its “cronygate” attempt to install a Fine Gael replacement in the Seanad, approval for Irish Water is not guaranteed.

Independents will decide the fate of the water charging regime after days of often ill-tempered debate in the Dáil, but the upper house can only delay legislation for three months. Sinn Féin senator David Cullinane has called on Independents to unite with the opposition to delay the bills which are set to land in April.