Opposition blamed for water refund delays

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has blamed left-wing parties and Independents for “holding up” water charges refunds to people due to their refusal to sign off on legislation before the Oireachtas.

Mr Varadkar made the claim as opposition parties criticised the Government for admitting the refunds are unlikely to be sent out until after Christmas.

Under plans announced by Mr Varadkar and Housing Minister Eoghan Murphy, it had been intended that people who paid their water charges would have the money returned to them by the end of the year.