# Water Charges
Last week
19th March 2023 - 25th March 2023
# french protests
New violent clashes rock France in protest against construction of water reservoirs
It’s the latest in a series of violent standoffs as social tensions erupt nationwide.
All time
# eu commish
From Enda's enforcer and the Irish Water 'bogeyman' to a 'bruiser' in Europe: Phil Hogan's decade in the spotlight
Phil Hogan came to the “reluctant conclusion” yesterday that he should step down from his senior EU job.
# Prime Numbers
How many people said they would now pay water charges? It's the week in numbers
Plus: The rent rise that some pensioners living in south Dublin council houses will be hit with next year.
# Claire Byrne poll
35% of people would pay water charges if they were brought in now
The results are based on an opinion poll carried out by Amarách Research for RTÉ’s Claire Byrne Live/TheJournal.ie.
Voices
The five most memorable moments from the disastrous campaign to introduce household water charges
A new book by journalist Michael Brennan delves into the water charges debacle. Here are some of the moments that still stick out.
# Water Charges
Charges for excess water usage approved by commission
Irish Water in its proposals said it was recommending a range of measures in a bid to reduce household water usage.
# ireland's water
Poll: How would you vote in a referendum on water ownership?
Minister Eoghan Murphy has said a referendum on the topic could be held as early as next year.
# Irish Water
Referendum on water ownership could be held in early 2020, says minister
Housing Minister Eoghan Murphy said wording for the referendum should be ready in the autumn.
# Water Charges
If you're using 'too much' water, you'll be getting a letter in the door in June
This week, the Cabinet approved the introduction of excessive charges for households.
# Irish Water
How we could be on course for a referendum on water supply
The aim would be to retain public ownership of any company charged with responsibility for the supply of water services
# water mess
Doomed water charges policy had 'treacherous basis'
A report on the issue will be launched today at a conference called How (Not) To Do Public Policy.
# Water Charges
'Nonsensical': Restaurants are fighting an EU bid to mandate free tap water for all
Trade groups believe a European proposal will unfairly burden businesses.
# Irish Water
Irish Water 'may not be able to refund' more than 43,000 customers who paid water charges
€177 million was provided to Irish Water last year to refund to some 995,000 domestic customers, that included €5 million in administration costs.
# Water Charges
Jobstown protester pleads guilty to criminal damage of garda car
Dylan Collins has been remanded on bail until January.
# Christmas Bonus
Irish Water to start repaying customers from Monday
Refunds totalling €173 million will be paid to 990,000 customers.
# the refund project
Getting a water charges refund? These charities want you to donate it to help tackle homelessness
Three of Ireland’s leading homelessness charities have called on the public to donate their refunds.
# Water Charges
Poll: Do you think an 'excessive use' water charge is fair?
The first charge will be levied in July 2019.
# now what
Water charges: You get to keep the conservation grant, but 'excessive use' charges on the way
Water usage will be monitored from 2018, with bills arriving in 2019 for those that waste water.
# Cost of Living
Noonan's former right-hand man says government should consider raising retirement age
The former Secretary General of the Department of Finance said the focus should shift from tax cuts to reducing the cost of living.
# drip drip drip
The long, slow process to refund almost €170m in water charges
The government must decide how best to repay people and avoid another PR disaster.
# Baby I Got Your Money
Don't worry, Paschal has found the money to refund your water charges
Paschal Donohoe has identified an under-spend across all departments of €300 million.
# Explainer
Here are the questions on water charges you want answered
FINALLY. Talk about water charges might be coming to an end as the government figure out how to give the cash back.
# water under the bridge
The Government plans to start refunding water charges from autumn
It is estimated that the refunds will cost in the region of €160 million.
# pay back
Government yet to make final decision as to when water charges will be refunded
Officials are in negotiations with the EU for a special deal to pay around €160 million in water charge refunds.
# better have my money
Government working to refund water charges - but it could be done over a few years
Cabinet agreed to give priority to the drafting of the Water Services Bill 2017 today.
# jobstown
Garda witness called 'woman beater' and 'uniformed scumbag' during protest, court told
It’s day 22 of the trial.
# jobstown
Superintendent denies being 'part of conspiracy to pervert course of justice', trial hears
Solidarity TD Paul Murphy and six other men are charged with falsely imprisoning Joan Burton and her advisor.
# jobstown
Garda thought she was going to be 'crushed' at water charges protest, court hears
Marion Power said there was “constant abuse and horrendous language the whole time”.
# jobstown
Gardaí ordered to leave water charges protest because some were armed, trial told
“You were being pushed around. You couldn’t stand still. I was being punched continually.”
# jobstown
Paul Murphy's lawyer accuses garda of lying 'in a disreputable fashion'
Garda Gavin Cooke has denied the claim.
# Protest
Jobstown defendant said Joan Burton could 'take sanctuary in church'
Seven men are accused of falsely imprisoning the former Tánaiste during a water charges protest in 2014.
# all the facts
FactFind: How much water do we actually use?
And how many households fall into the “excessive use” category of 1.7 times the average?
# Water Charges
'Terrified' Joan Burton 'ran for her life' at Jobstown protest
Seven men including TD Paul Murphy have pleaded not guilty to false imprisonment.
# water waste
10% of Irish households are using four times as much water as the rest of the country
New figures from the CSO show that usage of water in Ireland is heavily skewed by a small fraction of consumers.
# jobstown
Jury selected for trial of men accused of falsely imprisoning Joan Burton
Over 100 potential jurors were called in a random ballot and a jury of five women and seven men were selected.
# No regrets
Phil Hogan: 'I think Irish Water has seen the test of time'
Ivan Yates said that people see Hogan as the “bogeyman of Irish Water” in a radio interview today.
# Water Charges
Water charge refunds on the way, with conservation grant likely to be deducted
Politicians are having their say on the water committee report tonight.
# Your Say
Poll: Do you agree with people being charged for excessive water use?
The Dáil is set to debate water charges today.
# Finally
Here are the questions on water charges you want answered
Finally, after 22 meetings, the water committee has approved its final report.
# Water Charges
Water committee told meters should be installed in all new houses
The water committee has gotten fresh legal advice on the final report.
