Distillery project hit with €500k bill from Irish Water

A planned distillery project in Carlow has been hit with a €500,000 bill from Irish Water, the Dáil heard.

Fianna Fáil environment spokesman Barry Cowen urged the Government to intervene after Walsh Whiskey in Bagenalstown was left “gobsmacked” after it received the demand.

With voters going to the polls in Carlow-Kilkenny on Friday to elect a replacement for Phil Hogan, Mr Cowen insisted the Irish Water charge was disproportionate and raised further questions about the utility.