Irish Water is drowning in costs

Water charges were introduced in 1983 in urban areas — these were strongly resisted, by Fianna Fáil (in opposition) and by the public.

The charges were introduced because successive budgets had failed to compensate local authorities for the deficit in their funding, arising from the 1977 Abolition of Rates.

Fianna Fáil, in government subsequently, did not rescind the charges, and by the mid-1990s there was a general, albeit reluctant, acceptance that these charges were here to stay, with most local authorities reporting a 75-80% collection rate.