Government gives in to pressure on water referendum bill

The Government is set to cave into pressure from the Opposition and accept a Dáil bill that will pave the way for a referendum on the public ownership of water services.

Independents4Change TD Joan Collins, as of last night, had received the backing of at least 94 TDs, after Fianna Fáil at a party meeting also agreed to support her bill.

Housing Minister Simon Coveney is set to reveal this evening that the Government will accept the bill, but refer it to a committee for more scrutiny over technical issues.