McGrath rows back on water charges

DESPITE being advised by the Attorney General that he didn’t have to pay his water charges, the would-be Cabinet rebel, Finian McGrath, has decided to pay up after all.

In what has obviously been a steep learning curve, the reluctant government supporter has realised that it is much better to be inside the tent peeing on those outside than outside peeing in. By not paying the charges Mr McGrath would in effect have given a slap in the face to the Taoiseach.

By earlier refusing to pay he gained much publicity.This mini crisis underlines the urgent need for clear rules on such matters because the Cabinet handbook makes no specific reference to such an issue. Nor was there a constitutional requirement for him to pay. Despite having been put under pressure by Mr Kenny, Deputy McGrath was temporarily buoyed up the advice of the Attorney General and also gave succour to those opposed to water charges, including members of the Independent Alliance.

The lack of a legal imperative for a minister to pay such charges probably meant in effect that if the new super junior minister had held to his course, then someone with a seat at the Cabinet table (whether or not he has a vote is neither here nor there) would be breaking the law and thumbing his nose at all those who pay. That would make a mockery of Labour’s so called Water Fairness Bill and make nonsense of government telling people to pay up and look happy!