Fine Gael rejects demands by Fianna Fáil to freeze all water charges

Fine Gael has rejected Fianna Fáil demands to defer all water charges until every house in the country is metered as the move would effectively hand Micheál Martin’s party victory in ongoing talks on Irish Water.

The move was put on the table by Fianna Fáil’s negotiating team as a way to move the talks forward after stalemate led to a crunch meeting between Taoiseach Enda Kenny and Mr Martin yesterday.

However, despite Fianna Fáil arguing the move would allow Fine Gael’s offer of waivers and allowances for vulnerable people once all homes are metered, it is understood that Fine Gael rejected the offer because it would mean the charges system would be frozen for a number of years — handing its rival victory.