Pursue water charge non-payers, says Michael Creed

A minister has insisted the cross-party committee deciding whether to scrap water charges must allow the State “an opportunity to pursue” non-payers in its recommendations to the Dáil.

Agriculture Minister Michael Creed made the call just 24 hours after Taoiseach Enda Kenny said Irish Water will not bring down the Government and has already “proven its worth”.

Speaking to the Irish Examiner amid ongoing calls for people who have already paid the now suspended fees to be refunded, the Cork North West TD warned that despite a groundswell of support from both within and outside Government for a refund system to be introduced, debtors should still be forced to pay.