John Halligan denies water vote U-turn

Independent Alliance TD John Halligan has denied Government colleagues ordered him to back out of plans to support an opposition motion scrapping water charges, despite performing a sudden U-turn last night.

The newly appointed junior jobs minister said he was not influenced in any way, after it emerged he held talks with Housing Minister Simon Coveney and Alliance TD Shane Ross just hours before the row-back occurred.

Moments after 39 Right2Water TDs consisting of Sinn Féin, the Anti-Austerity Alliance, People before Profit, and opposition Independents published a motion to scrap Irish Water — to be discussed tonight and tomorrow — Mr Halligan said he was strongly considering whether to support the plan.