Taoiseach Enda Kenny plays down differences with Joan Burton on water charges

Taoiseach Enda Kenny has played down in the Dáil differences between Fine Gael and Labour over the water charges controversy.

Mr Kenny was questioned by Opposition leaders about Tánaiste Joan Burton’s comments that a family of four adults would face a water charges bill of less than €200.

Mr Kenny said that “I share the Tánaiste’s view that the decision to be made here must be clear and affordable while taking into account the concerns and anxieties of people.”

He stressed that “the average charge has been set out and the Tánaiste made her remarks in a personal capacity here”.

Mr Kenny reiterated that the Government would make a decision within the next fortnight that would “bring clarity and restore confidence where there has been confusion”.

Pressed by Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin about Ms Burton’s comments, he repeated that he shares her view “that the decision to be made should include a regime of charges that are simple, clear and affordable. It should take into account the difficulties and concerns that have been articulated.”

Mr Kenny stressed that Irish Water “is being set up for a particular purpose of being able to borrow off the Government balance sheet to pass the market corporation test”.

Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams said the Taoiseach would not say what the charges would be and he asked if Mr Kenny agreed that the only way forward was to scrap charges.

Mr Kenny replied that he did not agree with that at all. He said the Government had given the regulator directions to the effect that the average metered charge would be €240 and that 30,000 litres would be allocated per household and 21,000 litres for each child.

Off the books

Earlier, Fianna Fáil finance spokesman Michael McGrath asked how much Irish Water needed to make from domestic and commercial customers to pass the “market corporation test” and remain off the balance sheet in 2015.

In reply, Minister for Finance Michael Noonan said the CSO and Eurostat would adjudicate on the issue "but they will not give us an adjudication in advance". He said they were "operating without the degree of certainty" Mr McGrath requested.

The Minister declined to rule out a role for the Revenue Commissioners in the collection of water charges.