Threats see minister ‘morph’ into Phil Hogan

Anti-Irish Water campaigners have accused Environment Minister Alan Kelly of morphing into ex-minister Phil Hogan by increasingly “threatening” people who don’t pay their bill.

Right2Water co-ordinator and Unite trade union official Brendan Ogle made the claim during a press conference to launch the group’s fifth national day of action in Dublin on Saturday.

The Labour deputy leader on Monday said that non-payers who try to “pull a fast one” by taking the €100 conservation grant will face “penalties upon penalties”. Mr Ogle yesterday said the comment sounds like the “arrogance” Ireland “sent to Brussels last year”.