Varadkar: Rejecting water bill means higher fees

Senators have been warned that a rejection of the Coalition’s legislation for the new water charge regime this week will leave homeowners facing bigger bills in January.

Health Minister Leo Varadkar said the original, higher charges would apply immediately in the new year as opposed to the reduced fixed rates which are promised for next April.

However, the warning was dismissed in some quarters as alarmist last night ahead of TDs and senators debating the water legislation this week.