FF plan for €500 water charges in 2010

Plans to impose water charges twice as costly as today’s rates were drawn up by the Fianna Fáil-led government months before the troika bailout, despite repeated claims that the system was only created to comply with EU demands.

Cabinet records obtained under new Freedom of Information (FoI) Act rules show Fianna Fáil — which now opposes water charges — backed potential legislation to introduce a €500 water charge and metering system in July 2010, five months before the bailout.

Files published by RTÉ last night confirm that, despite long-stated claims that water charges and other austerity measures were only introduced due to EU/IMF demands, the then government was considering the move even before the bailout.