Parties have no plans to change legislation to tackle water bill non-payers

People refusing to pay their water bills are to escape any legal punishment after Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil said they will not introduce new laws to prosecute debts under €500.

Both parties have confirmed they have no plans for new legislation to tackle non-payers, despite repeatedly warning the public in recent days that non-payers will be “pursued”.

Last night, as talks to form a Government edged closer, Fine Gael were pushing to conclude a “tri-party” document between themselves, the Independent Alliance and the Rural Alliance with a hope of having the vote for Taoiseach on Friday.