No refunds for people who have already paid bills

Fianna Fáil leader Micheal Martin has insisted no refunds will be given to people who have paid their Irish Water bills — despite telling his party its deal with Fine Gael means charges will never return.

He outlined the situation during a lengthy Fianna Fáil parliamentary party meeting last night, which was dominated by the imminent government formation agreement.

Speaking to TDs and senators at the meeting in Leinster House, Mr Martin rejected criticism from backbenchers Shane Cassell and John McGuinness that refunds must be paid out to bill-payers in light of the lengthy suspension of water charges now on the cards.