Protests are a new type of active citizenship politics here

The water charges protests are unlikely to go away because they’re about much more than water charges, writes Dr Rory Hearne

The Government parties are just not getting it. They think if they reduce the water charges to a modest fee then the people will back down and allow the Government get back to business as usual.

The reality is that opposition to the water charges is going to continue; the December 10 protest is likely to be another large event and, ultimately, a majority will not pay the charge.