Fianna Fáil confirm they will impose water charges if elected to Government

FIANNA Fáil will reintroduce water charges if elected to Government, the party's Environment Spokesperson has confirmed.

While pledging to abolish Irish Water as a company, Fianna Fáil Environment Spokesperson Barry Cowen told reporters it would introduce water charges:

“Yes, there is a system whereby people can make their contribution over and above taxation.” 

 He could not confirm how much the charges would be.

His comments directly contradict the Ard Fheis speech in January by his party leader Mícheál Martin who pledged ‘we will scrap Irish Water and the failed, loss-making charge which funds it’.

Sinn Féin Finance Spokesperson Pearse Doherty says Fianna Fáil have tied themselves up in knots as part of a “populist rebranding exercise”:

“The Irish people will not be played for fools and this only serves to demonstrate in no uncertain terms that there is no difference between Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael when it comes to stealth taxes,” he said.