COMMENT: A week’s income — that’s what low-pay households will fork out on water charges

WHEN someone starts out on a new venture, the reaction of most is to wish them well — this has hardly been the case for Irish Water.

Controversies over salaries, administrative costs and consultant fees as well as pre-election policy making by Government have eroded confidence in the utility. Now with the revelation of the actual charges, the public’s trust in the company is truly going to be tested.

The introduction of water charging in Ireland is a consequence of the recession and the terms of the troika agreement. This reality was reflected in the Government decision to establish Irish Water. The positives of this are it should ensure that our national water resource is funded, safe, secure and sustainable.