Independent TD says water controversy more than a communications issue

The controversy surrounding water charges was more than a communications issue, Independent TD Catherine Murphy told the Dáil.

“It is a loss of trust in how Government has handled this issue, from ramming the legislation through to adding Irish Water to the list of organisations that can require persons to hand over their PPS numbers so the Government could circumvent data protection rules, which is what the Data Protection Commissioner states,’’ she added.

Ms Murphy asked Taoiseach Enda Kenny where he placed himself "in this blame game'', which was now focused on the board of Irish Water.

“In fact, what was involved was a political failure, she added.

Correct decision

Mr Kenny

insisted that the Government made the correct decision in setting up Irish Water.

“The Government also made the decision to not have every local authority involved, with a different standard of provision of water and the difficulties that they all encountered,’’ he added.

Mr Kenny said the regime in place with the regulator meant, for instance, that bills were capped at €278 for a couple with two children, but also that if the water bill was less than that there was an incentive for the consumer to pay that lesser bill.