Axing of water charges is ‘within EU law’

Ireland is not subject to the spectre of massive fines or penalties for scrapping water charges thanks to the freedom available to member states to set their own rules over the EU’s water laws, according to Fianna Fáil.

In lengthy legal advice published last night, Micheál Martin’s party put further pressure on the Government to justify its reasons for not permanently abolishing household water charges.

Political parties are at an impasse on deciding the future of water charges in Ireland, ahead of a crunch meeting of an Oireachtas committee next week — which must report to the Dáil within days.