Enda Kenny denies making fools of those who paid water bills

Taoiseach Enda Kenny has insisted the Government is not making fools of people who have paid their water charges — despite putting a decision on whether to issue refunds on the long finger.

As calls were made last night for €978m in extra tax income this year to be used to provide refunds, Mr Kenny said the Government will not make any decision until next March.

Questioned on whether he is making “fools” of people who have paid some or all of their charges to date and that available money will not be used to refund them, Mr Kenny insisted this is not the case.