First cracks in new government appear with disagreements over water charges and health

The first cracks in the newly formed minority government arrangement have appeared just three days after it was formed due to disagreements on water charges, health, and variable mortgage reforms.

The issues became apparent yesterday as Fine Gael and two Independents crucial to Enda Kenny returning to power clashed over water charge payments, and Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil separately pushed for policy control of their support arrangement.

Just three days after the Government was finally formed with one seat more than needed last Friday, Fine Gael’s new chief whip Regina Doherty took to the airwaves to warn Independents their water bills will not just “magically disappear”.