EU ‘monitoring’ if water charges introduced in Ireland

Members of the public march through Cork City in a protest against water charges in 2015. Picture: Dan Linehan.

The European Union (EU) had been “monitoring” the introduction of excess water use charges in Ireland, according to a Department of Housing official.

It had been reported earlier this year that plans were under way to introduce charges for excess water use, which Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald had criticised as water charges “by the back door”.