Minister-to-be John Halligan: I will never pay water bill

Independent TD and minister-in-waiting John Halligan has ruled out paying his water charges despite his party colleague and junior minister Finian McGrath agreeing to pay his bill.

His position comes as it emerges that Irish Water’s metering programme, with 880,000 devices already in the ground, will be reviewed in light of the Fine Gael-Fianna Fáil government support deal.

Irish Water also says it expects soon to publish the latest figures on household payments, which are expected to show a large decrease in those paying.

Super junior minister Mr McGrath said last week that he would now pay his water bill as the situation otherwise would “distract” from his work as minister for disabilities.

The Independent Alliance member’s decision came after pressure was put on him to pay by Cabinet colleagues, including Taoiseach Enda Kenny.

However, fellow Independent Alliance member Mr Halligan said at the weekend that he would not pay water wharges, despite the fact he is set to be appointed a junior minister.

Mr Halligan tweeted: “I can categorically state that I will NOT be paying water charges, have been opposed to them my entire political life, and will never pay.”