Clare’s TDs are at odds over how the issue of water charges should be dealt with.
The special Oireachtas committee has given parties until later today to make new proposals on whether we should be charged for excessive use.
Enda Kenny has insisted Fine Gael will not facilitate any laws to scrap all domestic water charges which it believes to be illegal.
But today reports suggest that a compromise has been reached between the two main parties, which will see householders receiving refunds of up to €325.
And the Oireachtas committee discussing the future of water has given parties until later today to make new proposals on whether we should be charged for excessive use.
Today, speaking on Clare FM’s Morning Focus, Clare’s four TDs gave their views on the matter.
Junior Minister Pat Breen said the focus must now remain on solutions, which will have to be found within the Committee, while Independent Michael Harty re-iterated his stance that water charges should be paid for.
As many listeners on Group Water Schemes who have paid for their supply for decades have hit out at the idea of scrapping charges completely, though Clare’s Fianna Fáil TD Timmy Dooley said it’s not fair to say that people on a public scheme don’t pay for their supply, given that they will continue to pay development charges.
And while some predicted that the government could fall over the matter, Clarecastle Fine Gael TD Joe Carey expressed his belief that the coalition will resolve the issue.