Europe accused of ‘playing politics’ over water charges

Sinn Féin has accused Europe of “playing politics” with water charges while Fianna Fáil has disregarded comments by the European Commission stating that the charges cannot be reversed.

Sinn Féin also warned the latest European statement “gives the impression of the commission actively interfering in a highly contested domestic political debate”.

The commission stated yesterday it considers that once water charges were introduced in 2010, they became so-called established practice under the Water Framework Directive and cannot be reversed.