President signs water bill into law

The Government’s revised water charges scheme has been signed into law by the President, meaning bills will arrive in homes by April.

President Michael D Higgins yesterday said he had considered in detail submissions about the controversial legislation, which included calls to put parts of it to a referendum.

But, in what is viewed as a blow to anti-water charge campaigners, the President signed the Water Services Bill 2014 into law. It will come into effect next week.

A statement said: “President Michael D Higgins, having given careful consideration to all aspects of the bill and the submissions he received, today signed the Water Services Bill 2014.”

His officials said he had received submissions under Article 27 of the Constitution, which can refer legislation to the people for a vote. This can apply where both houses of the Oireachtas ultimately approve legislation, but only after a bill has been initially rejected by the Seanad and referred back to the Dáil.

Such a referral also requires the backing of the majority of senators and one third of TDs. But as the water charges legislation was approved and not rejected by either house, Article 27 did not apply in this case.

In a statement from Áras an Uachtaráin, it was added that the President had also considered referring the legislation to the Council of State for consideration.

Under Article 26 of the Constitution, the President may seek advice from the council and if so decide that a bill should be considered by the five-member Supreme Court.

President Higgins previously convened the Council of State when he was considering the Protection of Life during Pregnancy Bill in 2013.

Up to 49 TDs and senators had written to the President before Christmas asking him to refer the water charges legislation to the council and to the Supreme Court to test its constitutionality.

Households have been given until February to sign up to the water charges regime. This will see homes pay no more than €160 a year up until 2019. Bills will begin arriving in April.

Environment Minister Alan Kelly has said legislation for penalties for non- payers will be introduced next month. This will include options for landlords to charge tenants deposits for charges and for unpaid bills to be attached to people’s properties.

Sinn Féin said yesterday the party would continue to oppose charges. Senator David Cullinane said: “Multiple mass mobilisations in the streets have shown that the Irish people do not accept these charges at a fundamental level and these mobilisations will continue in the new year.”