People who paid water charges ‘cannot be mugged by system’

Labour leader Brendan Howlin has said people who paid water charges will have been “mugged” by the system unless the Government bows down to demands to provide refunds in a bid to resolve the standoff.

He made the remark as he criticised a government TD’s suggestion that monthly fines for people refusing to pay their charges should be considered instead of any “illogical” refunds process, saying there is “no legal basis” for such a move.

Speaking to reporters as he launched a Labour bill seeking a series of rent certainty and eviction protections, Mr Howlin said the Fine Gael-led coalition must give people who paid water charges back their money.