Irish Water grants Coalition partners a reason to fall out

For the opposition, Irish Water is the gift that keeps on giving — even more so when that gift involves an internal Government row about giving €100 to people refusing to pay their charges.

Over the past 24 hours Irish Water has caused yet more havoc for the Coalition after reports that the “water conservation” grant — seen by some as little more than a bribe — would only be given to people paying their bills.

The suggestion was quickly shot down by Environment Minister Alan Kelly, Tánaiste Joan Burton, Transport Minister Paschal Donohue, and others, but the controversy has at the very least given the opposition two fresh areas in which to attack the Government in the final months before a general election.