46% of water charges collected by Irish Water
Irish Water has written to the Department of the Environment confirming that it has collected 46% of the revenue due from water charges.
However, it is understood that only 675,000 or 43% of households have so far paid the charges.
The total amount collected was in region of €30m following the issuing of the first quarterly bills.
Anti-Austerity Alliance TD Paul Murphy said this was a huge victory for the anti-water charges movement.
Figure is actually only 43% payment. What a disaster for #IrishWater and #watercharges. #wewontpay
— Paul Murphy 🏳️⚧️ (@paulmurphy_TD) July 14, 2015
He said: "The figures are an unmitigated disaster for Irish Water. They represent an important victory for those of us who campaigned for a boycott of the water charges.
"They indicate that the water charges have no democratic credibility or legitimacy, that the majority of people are not just opposed but are refusing to pay and they put massive pressure on the government to abolish the water charges and abolish Irish Water.
Speaking this evening in reaction to these reports, Sinn Féin Deputy Leader Mary Lou McDonald has said that this signals to the government in no uncertain terms that the majority of Irish households do not support Irish water and do not support the introduction of water charges.
Water charges payment figures clearest possible signal to government – @MaryLouMcDonald http://t.co/7gg1ggAYmL
— Sinn Féin (@sinnfeinireland) July 14, 2015
Deputy McDonald said: “Reports tonight indicate that Irish Water will admit tomorrow that they have only managed to collect from 43% of households billed for water.
"This is a serious embarrassment to the government who have done their best to denounce and belittle the resistance to their introduction of water charges.
"The defiance of the Irish people tells them in no uncertain terms that water charges are unwelcome and that they will not be cowed by threats, be they of supply cut off or attachment orders."
