Simon Coveney to appoint new water commission chief within days

Housing Minister Simon Coveney expects to appoint a new water commission chief by this weekend, as he goes to Brussels to stop the EU fining Ireland for suspending water charges.

Mr Coveney expects there will be no shocks when he meets environment commissioner Karmenu Vella to outline how Ireland intends to comply with EU law while also freezing water charges.

Government sources insist plans for the independent expert water commission are still on track, despite chairman Joe O’Toole resigning this week over his views about charges.