Coalition ‘bluffing’ on unpaid water charges

Anti-water charge TDs have claimed the Government is bluffing over threats to deduct non-payments from wages and benefits.

Such a move would not be possible, it was suggested, as involving the Revenue in that way would undermine efforts to present Irish Water as an entity financially separate from Government.

Anti-Austerity Alliance TD Paul Murphy made the claim as he called for a mass boycott of the charge as the first bills hit households.