Election more likely as main parties differ on water charges

The possibility of a second election is growing by the hour after Fianna Fáil rejected Fine Gael’s offer to suspend water charges for up to nine months instead of its sought-for five-year period. It said it will not make a counter-bid today.

Micheál Martin’s party said last night it will “remain true to our commitments and manifesto” in seeking the suspension of the fees for the duration of the next Dáil, potentially ending any hopes of a compromise deal.

In a bid to break the ongoing political deadlock, acting Taoiseach Enda Kenny told Fianna Fáil leader Mr Martin at the weekend he was willing to suspend water charges while an independent commission was set up to examine how a new fee system would work.