Political skill will be put to test - Pay-by-weight charges

ENVIRONMENT Minister Simon Coveney was acutely aware of the difficulties he faced when he sought the housing portfolio in government but he might not have anticipated an extra lip to that poisoned chalice in the form of bin charges.

The move to pay-by-weight prompted some waste collection firms to introduce huge hikes in charges and it looked like the inevitable outrage to follow would see the whole situation descend into another Irish Water fiasco.

There are many similarities. The need to fix our public water was evident and metering offered the best chance of ensuring that water was used prudently.