Howlin: We must stop drip-feeding information on water charges

A Cabinet Minister has today admitted that it was "not helpful" that the public do not yet know the full details on water charges.

Brendan Howlin said that the practice of revealing small details of the new system, without a full deal being agreed, has fuelled public frustration.

Minister Howlin is a member of the Economic Management Council, which is trying to put together a new regime of charges in the wake of recent demonstrations.

He said that the sooner the public has information, the better:

"If you pardon the pun, I don't think drip-feeding it is a help," he said.

"I think people want certainty, they want to know where they're going on all these matters and we're going to do it in a way that gives certainty in relation to the method of payment, and that is affordable and that doesn't shock people.

"We're working on a comprehensive package, and that'll be announced as soon as all those pieces are put in place."