The muddled course of Irish water charges

Fine Gael has been enthusiastic about a new water board, but it remains to be seen if it can implement it successfully, writes Michael Brennan.

John Tierney, managing director, Irish Water and Phil Hogan, Minister for the Environment, pictured at an Irish Water job announcement in Cork in May 2013. Picture: Provision

The driving force behind water charges has been the troika. It included them in the bailout agreement and it made sure they were on the way before they left.The troika first met Irish Water for an update in October 2012. Then they met again last year in February, April, July and finally in October.

But the idea for Irish Water came from Fine Gael, which included it in its manifesto for the 2009 ...