Fianna Fáil bill to scrap Irish Water within 18 months

Fianna Fáil negotiators last night told Independents they will draft a new bill to scrap Irish Water and delay water charges for five years within 18 months if they are part of the next government.

The comment was made at the end of another day of lengthy talks on nine issues including health, flooding, rural affairs and education — and as senior party figures raised the negotiation stakes on Fine Gael by insisting they will not take part in Enda Kenny’s mooted “partnership” coalition.

It is understood that after 8.30pm last night — a full 10 hours into discussions — Fianna Fáil leader Micheal Martin and his negotiating team of Barry Cowen, Jim O’Callaghan, Charlie McConalogue and Michael McGrath finally raised Irish Water’s future under a Fianna Fáil-led government.