TD Murphy calls on protests to continue despite concessions

Anti Austerity Alliance TD Paul Murphy said the concessions made by the Government are not enough to stop widespread protests against water charges.

Earlier today, the Minister for the Environment, Alan Kelly, announced a range of changes to water charges, including a cap of €160 for a single adult and €260 for others, extended until 2019. He also announced that PPS numbers would no longer be required by Irish Water.

However, Paul Murphy said the concessions shows that public pressure from mass demonstrations is affecting Government policy, and he believes it is not over yet.

"I think the lesson that people will learn is: we've pushed the Government back twice now, significantly, because of people power, because of people mobilising, and because the Government [is] feeling under pressure," he said.

"That's what's changed - people know their own power now, for the first time in along time.

"And I think most people will have the sentiment: if we can push them back this far, let's keep going, and let's force the abolition of water charges."

Meanwhile, the Irish Property Owners Association say they will not co-operate with the Government's plans to take unpaid water bills out of a tenant's security deposit.

"If somebody that comes into the property that uses the water doesn't pay for those water charges … it appears that now landlords are bring made responsible for those charges," said Margaret McCormack, Information Officer with the Association.

"That's unacceptable … the service is provided to the tenant, and it's the tenant that needs to pay for that service. It's a totally unfair situation."