Noel Dempsey: ‘The notion that you can charge people who didn’t pay is a nonsense'

A former Fianna Fáil environment minister has contradicted his party leader by saying it is “nonsense” to chase people who are refusing to pay water charges, and that refunds should be given by the State.

Ex-TD Noel Dempsey made his comments just 24 hours before the cross-party Dáil committee on water charges tasked with addressing the controversy meets for the first time tomorrow .

Speaking on RTÉ radio as it emerged that Irish Water has spent a massive €5m on business strategists, lawyers, and PR experts since charges were suspended six months ago, Mr Dempsey said he was shocked by the ongoing spending.