Financial implications if water fees scrapped with no contingency plan is made to fund it

There could be financial implications if TDs vote to permanently scrap water charges next year and no contingency plan is made to fund it, Public Expenditure Minister Paschal Donohoe has confirmed.

He was responding to concerns and questions regarding the budget at RTÉ studios yesterday. The Irish Examiner reported yesterday that there could be a €300m ‘black hole’ in the finances next year if TDs vote to scrap water charges and no contingency plans are made for the 2017 budget.

The claim was made by Labour leader Brendan Howlin, Mr Donohoe’s predecessor at Public Expenditure.