TD says hit water bill defaulters with fines

People refusing to pay water charges should be hit with rolling €10 monthly fines until they owe enough money to be brought to court by the State, a Government TD and member of the Dáil water committee has warned.

Fine Gael Cork South West TD Jim Daly insisted the €120 a year fines are needed to “focus minds” as he heavily criticised Government colleagues for seeking “illogical” refunds which would set a precedent that forces the State into similar TV licence fee or other bill u-turns.

Writing in today’s Irish Examiner just 24 hours after Fine Gael MEP and 2016 director of elections Brian Hayes said Government must consider giving people their money back to end the Irish Water debacle. Mr Daly said the move is not in Ireland’s interests.