Shortall: Government 'all over the place' on water charges issue

Independent TD Roisin Shortall has accused the Government of being all over the place on the issue of water charges.

Independent TD Roisín Shortall has accused the Government of being all over the place on the issue of water charges.

It is unclear when the new charge will be introduced.

The Environment Minister Phil Hogan said that households will be expected to pay from January 1, 2014 but Ministers Pat Rabbitte and Brian Hayes said that will not happen.

Deputy Shortall also told Northern Sound that there could be an element of political tactics involved:

"The reality is the government had said they wouldn't introduce water charges until there was a full metering system in place," she said.

"It seems they're all over the place, I think the government is at sixes and sevens on this they don't actually have a clear plan for where they're going and that's why you have the conflicting information coming out last week

"I think it's very unfair to people I think the government needs to get its act together and sort this problem out."