Government to face major Dáil test with water charges motion
The Government could face the first major test of its strength in the new Dáil tonight in a motion on water charges.
It is calling on opposition parties to back down from calls to immediately scrap Irish Water and support an independent commission instead.
However, Fianna Fáil has said it will abstain on the Government's counter-motion, meaning it will need all its own TDs to toe the line.
Housing Minister Simon Coveney last night said the best result would be to leave the future of Irish Water in the hands of the experts.
“What we are trying to do here is to allow for an informed and detailed discussion on how we fund water provision and waste water treatment in the future,” said Coveney.
“We are trying to take some of the heat out this issue by providing a nine-month window for that debate.”
