Water charges in pipeline but Fianna Fáil stance poses threat

Homeowners and renters face a system of water charges but only after a free allowance is used up, the Irish Examiner understands.

The report of the Government-established independent commission on the future of water charges is to be published this week and represents the greatest threat to the “confidence and supply” deal between Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil.

There is considerable unease within Government ahead of the report’s publication, with some ministers fearing the issue could lead to the demise of the Coalition.