Cowen demands clarity on Irish Water direct debits

Fianna Fáil environment spokesperson Barry Cowen has called for Irish Water to clarify how many people have cancelled their direct debit payments after the utility refused to provide any information on the matter.

The opposition TD said “nothing surprises me” about Irish Water’s approach to transparency and that its ongoing problems are the reason why “there won’t be an early election” after a spokesperson for the company declined to make the details public.

In a statement responding to recent claims by anti-water charge campaigners that one in five people who paid their first bills have cancelled direct debits due to the low uptake nationwide, Irish Water said the figures remain healthy.