Hogan says no question of water charges being abolished

The Minister responsible for water charges says Ireland could face EU fines if it doesn’t get Irish Water up and running soon.

Phil Hogan says setting up the new utility is the only way Ireland can invest enough in water treatment plants to avoid heavy fines.

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He’s told the Dáil that the government is inching closer to a deal on the structure of water charges.

But he says there’s no prospect of the plans being abolished – because Ireland simply must get the money to upgrade its water treatment plants.