Finian McGrath will pay water bill to avoid ‘distraction’

Super junior minister Finian McGrath has caved in to pressure to pay his water charges bill — despite receiving advice there is no constitutional rule preventing him from being in Cabinet if he did not pay up.

The Independent Alliance TD last night did a U-turn and said that, while having doubts about Irish Water, he had decided to pay his water bill, as failing to do so would become a “distraction” to his work as minister for disabilities.

The Irish Examiner has learnt that Mr McGrath, after being briefed by Attorney General Maire Whelan as well as her advisers this week, had been told there were no legal issues preventing him being a minister if he refused to pay the charges.