A Clare anti-water charges campaigner has described recommendations from the Independent Water Commission as a "wolf in sheep's clothing".
A Clare anti-water charges campaigner has described recommendations from the Independent Water Commission as a "wolf in sheep's clothing".
The expert report on the future of water bills is due to be published tomorrow and leaks say it'll that most water is paid for through general taxes.
Water charges remain one of the most divisive issues amongst Irish public but it's yet to be seen whether these impending recommendations from the Independent Water Commission will resolve the matter.
According to widespread leaks, the commission's draft report recommends that normal household water usage is funded through general taxation with only "wasteful use" paid for by the user.
The comission has said that the state should become a "customer" of Irish Water and pay the cost, while a constitutional amendment should be considered to prevent the utility from being privitised in the future.
But one Clare Anti-Water Charges campaigner here in Clare believes that the measures merely change the way in which people are charged.
Niamh O'Brien of O'Callaghan's Mills, who campaigned for their abolition during the general election, still believes they should be scrapped altogether:
The report has also pointed towards provisions for people with special needs and those on social welfare, while acoording to the report, those who have paid bills so far, shouldn't be treated less favourably than those who didn't.
But commercial charges would remain under the recommendations.
The Social Protection Minister Leo Varadkar says given the nature of Irish politics, this issue is unlikely to go away.
Minister Leo Varadkar says all parties will have to decide what to do.
A vote on the matter and potentially a resolution is expected in the Dáil before the end of March.
