Fianna Fáil move on water charges ‘helpful’

Finance Minister Michael Noonan has described a Fianna Fáil concession on water charges during government formation talks as a “game changer” ahead of an expected deal between both sides.

The Fine Gael minister’s comments came as efforts to negotiate terms and policies for a minority government were stepped up yesterday, for a pact that could be agreed by today.

A failure to compromise and secure the terms for Fianna Fáil to facilitate a Fine Gael-led minority government will otherwise trigger another general election, sources on both sides said last night.