Threats to evict council tenants for not paying water charge 'unhelpful', says Minister
A Government Minister has said it is "inappropriate" for County Councils to threaten tenants with eviction if they do not pay their water bill.
Foreign Affairs Minister Charlie Flanagan has criticised both Meath and Wicklow councils' decision to Rental Accommodation Scheme tenants, warning them that they would be removed from their homes if they do not pay.
He said that although he hopes that all members of the public will pay their way, threatening eviction is "not right or proper".
"I would hope that County Councils would observe a sympathetic view," he said.
"My hope is that most people will pay their fair share of water charges. We're the only country in Europe that doesn't have a charge for water.
"So I would call on County Councils to be sensitive to the needs of people, and talking about evictions at this stage is not only unhelpful, but inappropriate."
Earlier today, Fine Gael colleague Noel Harrington complained that Irish Water has
